Electronic device including flexible display and method for controlling same

ABSTRACT

An electronic device and method are disclosed. The electronic device includes a first and second housing movable relative to each other. The second housing supports a flexible display which may be at least partially exposed to an exterior, and at least partially stowed within the first housing based on the movement of the housings. A processor implements the method including detecting movement of the housings such that a visible display area of the display is changed, detecting whether the resizing meets a predetermined condition, and if resizing does not meet the predetermined condition, executing image processing on a portion of the resized visible display area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0021216, filed on Feb. 22,2018, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to electronic devicesincluding a flexible display with a resizable display area and methodsfor controlling the same.

2. Description of Related Art

Electronic devices, such as mobile phones may output information storedtherein in the form of a sound or image. As electronic devices becomemore highly integrated and high-speed, high-volume wirelesscommunication has become more commonplace, and mobile communicationterminals have been equipped with an increasing diversity offunctionality. For example, electronic devices often include integratedfunctionality, including entertainment functions (e.g., video games),multimedia functions (e.g., music/videos), communication and securityfunctions (e.g., for mobile banking), and scheduling or e-walletfunctions.

Electronic devices, such as electronic schedulers, portable multimediaplayers, mobile communication terminals, tablet personal computers(PCs), etc., are generally equipped with a flat display device and abattery, and their shape may then be limited to a bar, clamshell, orslidable shape due to the physical requirements of the displays and/orbatteries. Recently released electronic devices have adopted largerdisplays, ensuring more convenient viewing of the display.

Flexible displays or transformable displays that have made large-screenelectronic devices easier to carry have also been introduced to themarket. Electronic devices with flexible displays may visually providevarious screens through the flexible display. The flexible display mayinclude a display panel and display driving circuit (e.g., a displaydriver integrated circuit or “DDI”) to operate the panel. The displaydriving circuit equipped in the electronic device may receive displaydata from a processor and drive the display panel.

An electronic device with a flexible display may output an executingapplication on the flexible display. The flexible display may bedisposed on the front and rear surface of the electronic device while atleast partially forming a curved surface.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the disclosure. No determination hasbeen made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the disclosure.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, the screen of the application may bedisplayed on the flexible display in a resolution that changes as thehousing of the electronic device moves, for example. For example, when afixed application applies to the running application or depending on theproperties or settings of the operation system (OS) installed on theelectronic device, the application screen might not normally bedisplayed corresponding to the resized screen of the flexible display.When the flexible display screen resizes, the running screen of theapplication might be partially undisplayed on the flexible display.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device with a flexible displayand a method for controlling the display on the electronic device mayprovide various user interfaces (UIs) or user experiences (UXs) invarious circumstances when the flexible display screen resizes.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device includes a firsthousing, a second housing that is movable relative to and over the firsthousing and at least partially overlapping the first housing, a flexibledisplay at least partially mounted on the second housing and at leastpartially visually exposed to an exterior of the electronic device,wherein the flexible display is insertable into an interior of the firsthousing when the second housing moves relative to the first housing in afirst direction, and removable from the interior when the second housingmoves relative to the first housing in a second direction, a memoryconfigured to store instructions; and at least one processor coupled tothe flexible display, and the memory, wherein the stored instructionsare executable by the at least one processor to cause the electronicdevice to: detect movement of the second housing relative to the firsthousing in one of a first direction or a second direction such that adisplay area of the flexible display is resized, determine whether theresizing of the display area satisfies a predetermined condition, andwhen the resizing of the display area does not satisfy the predeterminedcondition, execute image processing on at least a portion of the resizeddisplay area.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device includes a firsthousing forming at least a bottom portion and at least a side portion ofthe portable communication device, a second housing that is movablerelative to and over the first housing and at least partiallyoverlapping the first housing, a flexible display mounted on one surfaceof the second housing and at least partially visually exposed to anexterior of the portable communication device, wherein the flexibledisplay is retractable into an interior of the first housing when thesecond housing moves relative to the first housing in a first directionso that a display area of the flexible display is reduced, and removablefrom the interior when the second housing moves relative to the firsthousing in a second direction so that the display area is enlarged, afirst antenna formed in the first housing, and a second antenna formedin the second housing, wherein the first antenna and the second antennado not overlap.

In certain embodiments, the first antenna and the second antenna aredisposed such that they do not to overlap one other when considered froma top edge of the device (e.g., a terminal edge disposed at the top ofthe device) and/or a front of the device (e.g., when viewing thescreen).

According to an embodiment, an electronic device includes a firststructure including a first flat plate, the first flat plate including afirst surface and a second surface which faces away from the firstsurface, a second structure including a second flat plate, the secondflat plate facing the second surface of the first flat plate to define ahollow between enclosed by the first structure and the second structure,wherein at least a portion of the first flat plate is at least partiallydisposed within the hollow, and a flexible touchscreen display mountedon the first surface of the first flat plate, the flexible touchscreendisplay at least partially receivable in the hollow, wherein the firstflat plate is moveable between a closed position in which the first flatplate moves over the second structure in a first direction to close inrelation to the second structure, and an open position in which thefirst flat plate moves over the second structure in a second directionopposite to the first direction to open in relation to the secondstructure, wherein the flexible touchscreen display includes a firstflat portion that remains flat while extending across at least a portionof the first surface, and a bent portion that curls around a roller andas the flexible touchscreen display extends from an end of the firstflat portion into the hollow, and wherein as the first flat plate movesfrom the closed position to the open position, the flexible touchscreendisplay is pulled from the hollow such that the bent portion of theflexible touchscreen display is uncurled to become a second flat portionof the flexible touchscreen display.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device includes a firsthousing, a second housing at least partially overlapping the firsthousing, the second housing movable relative to the first housing, aflexible display at least partially mounted on a surface of the secondhousing, the flexible display at least partially receivable into aninterior of the first housing, wherein a visible screen area of theflexible display is expandable by movement in a first direction of thesecond housing over the first housing that pulls additional portions ofthe flexible display out of the interior, and the visible screen area ofthe flexible display is reducible by moving in a second direction of thesecond housing over the first housing that retracts visible portions ofthe flexible display into the interior, at least one processor, and amemory, wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the atleast one processor to: display user interface in a first position ofthe flexible display, when a visible screen area of the flexible displayif expanded by movement of the second housing, detect an amount ofexpansion of the visible screen area, and when movement of the secondhousing has terminated for a predetermined time, display the userinterface in a second position based on the detected amount.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device includes a firsthousing, a second housing at least partially overlapping the firsthousing, the second housing movable relative to the first housing, aflexible display at least partially mounted on a surface of the secondhousing, the flexible display at least partially receivable into aninterior of the first housing, wherein a visible screen area of theflexible display is expandable by movement in a first direction of thesecond housing over the first housing that pulls additional portions ofthe flexible display out of the interior, and the visible screen area ofthe flexible display is reducible by moving in a second direction of thesecond housing over the first housing that retracts visible portions ofthe flexible display into the interior, at least one processor, and amemory, wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the atleast one processor to: display a first execution screen of a firstapplication on a first area of the flexible display, display a secondexecution screen of a second application on a second area of theflexible display, in response to detecting a change in orientation ofthe electronic device, change a display arrangement of the firstapplication and the second application, wherein at least one of thefirst application and the second application are displayed using a newaspect ratio in response to the detected change in orientation.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses example embodiments of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendantaspects thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, such that:

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an example of a network environmentaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a display deviceaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electronicdevice according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating an example of a flexible displaycontrol module of an electronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4A is a flowchart illustrating an example of identifying a resizingof a display of an electronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4B is a flowchart illustrating an example of identifying a resizingof a display of an electronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating various examples of expansion of aflexible display of an electronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of identifying a resizingof a display of an electronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an example of an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed as aflexible display of an electronic device resizes according to anembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed as aflexible display of an electronic device resizes according to anembodiment;

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayedaccording to an orientation of an electronic device as a flexibledisplay of the electronic device resizes according to an embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on arear surface of an electronic device as a flexible display of theelectronic device resizes according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of displaying an objectas a flexible display of an electronic device resizes according to anembodiment;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a displayof an electronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 14A is a view illustrating an outer appearance of an electronicdevice with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 14B is a view illustrating an outer appearance of an electronicdevice with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating a side surface of an electronic devicewith a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating an example of a sliding part of anelectronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 17A is a view illustrating an example of an electronic device witha flexible display vertically expanding, as viewed from above a sidethereof, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 17B is a view illustrating an example of an electronic device witha flexible display vertically expanding, as viewed from above a sidethereof, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 18A is a view illustrating an example of a hinge structure of anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 18B is a view illustrating an outer appearance of a hinge structureof an electronic device with a flexible display according to anembodiment;

FIG. 19 is a view illustrating an example of a display driving circuitof an electronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a view illustrating an example of a display driving circuitof an electronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a view illustrating an example of an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a view illustrating an example of an electronic device with aflexible display horizontally expanding, as viewed from above a sidethereof, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a side, cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration ofa display with a curved area according to an embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a side, cross-sectional view illustrating an antenna of anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a side, cross-sectional view illustrating an antenna of anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a side, cross-sectional view illustrating an antenna of anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a side, cross-sectional view illustrating an antenna of anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a graph illustrating the radiation efficiency of an antennain an electronic device with a flexible display according to anembodiment;

FIG. 29 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating an example of displaying a screen onan electronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 31 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating an example of displaying a screen onan electronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 33 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 34 is a view illustrating various examples of expansion of aflexible display of an electronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 35 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 36 is a block diagram illustrating a display structure according toan embodiment;

FIG. 37 is a view illustrating an example of a display device accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 38A is a view illustrating an example of a display device accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 38B is a view illustrating an example of a display device accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 38C is a view illustrating an example of a display device accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 39 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 40 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 41 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 42A is a flowchart illustrating an example of displaying a screenon an electronic device with a flexible display according to anembodiment;

FIG. 42B is a front view illustrating an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 42C is a rear view illustrating an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 43 is a flowchart illustrating an example of displaying a screen onan electronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 44 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 45 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 46 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 47 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 48 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 49A is a flowchart illustrating various examples of displaying ascreen on an electronic device with a flexible display according to anembodiment;

FIG. 49B is a flowchart illustrating various examples of displaying ascreen on an electronic device with a flexible display according to anembodiment;

FIG. 50A is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 50B is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 51 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 52 is a flowchart illustrating an example of performing adesignated function upon receiving an input from an electronic devicewith a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 53 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 54 is a view illustrating an example of a flexible display of anelectronic device as viewed from above a side thereof, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 55 is a flowchart illustrating an example of displaying a screen onan electronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 56 is a flowchart illustrating an example of displaying a screen onan electronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 57A is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed when animage capturing function is performed on an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 57B is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed when animage capturing function is performed on an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 57C is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed when animage capturing function is performed on an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 58 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed when animage capturing function is performed on an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 59 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed as aflexible display of an electronic device resizes according to anembodiment;

FIG. 60 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed as aflexible display of an electronic device resizes according to anembodiment;

FIG. 61 is a view illustrating an example of displaying a screen as aflexible display of an electronic device resizes according to anembodiment;

FIG. 62 is a view illustrating an example of an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 63A is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed when animage capturing function is performed on an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 63B is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed when animage capturing function is performed on an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 63C is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed when animage capturing function is performed on an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 64 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed when animage capturing function is performed on an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 65 is a flowchart illustrating an example of performing an imagecapturing function on an electronic device with a flexible displayaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 66A is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed when animage capturing function is performed on an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 66B is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed when amessenger application is executed on an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 67 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed when animage capturing function is performed on an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 68 is a view illustrating an example of a screen configurationdisplayed on an electronic device with a flexible display according toan embodiment;

FIG. 69 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 70 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 71 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 72 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 73 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 74 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 75 is a block diagram illustrating program modules to control aflexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 76 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an electronicdevice according to an embodiment; and

FIGS. 77A and 77B are views illustrating an example of a method forprocessing an image on a screen displayed on an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood torefer to like parts, components, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure are described with referenceto the accompanying drawings. However, it should be appreciated that thedisclosure is not limited to the embodiments and the terminology usedherein, and all changes and/or equivalents or replacements thereto alsobelong to the disclosure. The same or similar reference denotations maybe used to refer to the same or similar elements throughout thespecification and the drawings. It is to be understood that the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the terms “A or B” or “atleast one of A or B” may include all possible combinations of A and B.As used herein, the terms “first” and “second” may modify variouscomponents regardless of importance and/or order and are used todistinguish a component from another without limiting the components. Itwill be understood that when an element (e.g., a first element) isreferred to as being (operatively or communicatively) “coupled with/to,”or “connected with/to” another element (e.g., a second element), it canbe coupled or connected with/to the other element directly or via athird element.

As used herein, the terms “configured to” may be interchangeably usedwith other terms, such as “suitable for,” “capable of,” “modified to,”“made to,” “adapted to,” “able to,” or “designed to” in hardware orsoftware in the context. Rather, the term “configured to” may mean thata device can perform an operation together with another device or parts.For example, the term “processor configured (or set) to perform A, B,and C” may mean a generic-purpose processor (e.g., a CPU or applicationprocessor) that may perform the operations by executing one or moresoftware programs stored in a memory device or a dedicated processor(e.g., an embedded processor) for performing the operations.

For example, examples of the electronic device according to embodimentsof the disclosure may include at least one of a smartphone, a tabletpersonal computer (PC), a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-book reader,a desktop PC, a laptop computer, a netbook computer, a workstation, aserver, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player(PMP), a MP3 player, a medical device, a camera, or a wearable device.The wearable device may include at least one of an accessory-type device(e.g., a watch, a ring, a bracelet, an anklet, a necklace, glasses,contact lenses, or a head-mounted device (HMD)), a fabric- orclothes-integrated device (e.g., electronic clothes), a bodyattaching-type device (e.g., a skin pad or tattoo), or a bodyimplantable device. In some embodiments, examples of the smart homeappliance may include at least one of a television, a digital video disk(DVD) player, an audio player, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, acleaner, an oven, a microwave oven, a washer, a drier, an air cleaner, aset-top box, a home automation control panel, a security control panel,a TV box (e.g., Samsung HomeSync™, Apple TV™, or Google TV™, a gamingconsole (Xbox™, PlayStation™), an electronic dictionary, an electronickey, a camcorder, or an electronic picture frame.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic device mayinclude at least one of various medical devices (e.g., diverse portablemedical measuring devices (a blood sugar measuring device, a heartbeatmeasuring device, or a body temperature measuring device), a magneticresource angiography (MRA) device, a magnetic resource imaging (MRI)device, a computed tomography (CT) device, an imaging device, or anultrasonic device), a navigation device, a global navigation satellitesystem (GNSS) receiver, an event data recorder (EDR), a flight datarecorder (FDR), an automotive infotainment device, an sailing electronicdevice (e.g., a sailing navigation device or a gyro compass), avionics,security devices, vehicular head units, industrial or home robots,drones, automatic teller's machines (ATMs), point of sales (POS)devices, or internet of things (IoT) devices (e.g., a bulb, varioussensors, a sprinkler, a fire alarm, a thermostat, a street light, atoaster, fitness equipment, a hot water tank, a heater, or a boiler).According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, examples of theelectronic device may at least one of part of a piece of furniture,building/structure or vehicle, an electronic board, an electronicsignature receiving device, a projector, or various measurement devices(e.g., devices for measuring water, electricity, gas, or electromagneticwaves). According to embodiments of the disclosure, the electronicdevice may be flexible or may be a combination of the above-enumeratedelectronic devices. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, theelectronic devices are not limited to those described above. As usedherein, the term “user” may denote a human or another device (e.g., anartificial intelligent electronic device) using the electronic device.

Hereinafter, an electronic device and a method for controlling a displayon a flexible display of the electronic device are described accordingto an embodiment. As used herein, the term “user” may denote a human oranother device (e.g., an artificial intelligent electronic device) usingthe electronic device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device 101 in anetwork environment 100 according to certain embodiments. Referring toFIG. 1, the electronic device 101 in the network environment 100 maycommunicate with an electronic device 102 via a first network 198 (e.g.,a short-range wireless communication network), or an electronic device104 or a server 108 via a second network 199 (e.g., a long-rangewireless communication network). According to an embodiment, theelectronic device 101 may communicate with the electronic device 104 viathe server 108. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 101may include a processor 120, a memory 130, an input device 150, a soundoutput device 155, a display device 160, an audio module 170, a sensormodule 176, an interface 177, a haptic module 179, a camera module 180,a power management module 188, a battery 189, a communication module190, a subscriber identification module 196, and an antenna module 197.In some embodiments, the electronic device 101 may exclude at least one(e.g., the display device 160 or the camera module 180) of thecomponents or add other components. In some embodiments, some componentsmay be implemented to be integrated together, e.g., as if the sensormodule 176 (e.g., a fingerprint sensor, an iris sensor, or anilluminance sensor) is embedded in the display device (160) (e.g., adisplay).

The processor 120 may drive, e.g., software (e.g., a program 140) tocontrol at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or softwarecomponent) of the electronic device 101 connected with the processor 120and may process or compute various data. The processor 120 may load andprocess a command or data received from another component (e.g., thesensor module 176 or the communication module 190) on a volatile memory132, and the processor 120 may store resultant data in a non-volatilememory 134, including internal memory 136 and external memory 138.According to an embodiment, the processor 120 may include a mainprocessor 121 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an applicationprocessor), and additionally or alternatively, an auxiliary processor123 (e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), an image signal processor,a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor) that is operatedindependently from the main processor 121 and that consumes less powerthan the main processor 121 or is specified for a designated function.Here, the auxiliary processor 123 may be operated separately from orembedded in the main processor 121.

In such case, the auxiliary processor 123 may control at least some offunctions or states related to at least one (e.g., the display device160, the sensor module 176, or the communication module 190) of thecomponents of the electronic device 101, instead of the main processor121 while the main processor 121 is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) stateor along with the main processor 121 while the main processor 121 is anactive state (e.g., performing an application). According to anembodiment, the auxiliary processor 123 (e.g., an image signal processoror a communication processor) may be implemented as part of anothercomponent (e.g., the camera module 180 or the communication module 190)functionally related to the auxiliary processor 123. The memory 130 maystore various data used by at least one component (e.g., the processor120) of the electronic device 101, e.g., software (e.g., the program140) and input data or output data for a command related to thesoftware. The memory 130 may include the volatile memory 132 or thenon-volatile memory 134.

The program 140, as software stored in the memory 130, may include,e.g., an operating system (OS) 142, middleware 144, or an application146.

The input device 150 may be a device for receiving a command or data,which is to be used for a component (e.g., the processor 120) of theelectronic device 101, from an outside (e.g., a user) of the electronicdevice 101. The input device 150 may include, e.g., a microphone, amouse, or a keyboard.

The sound output device 155 may be a device for outputting sound signalsto the outside of the electronic device 101. The sound output device 155may include, e.g., a speaker which is used for general purposes, such asplaying multimedia or recording and playing, and a receiver used forcall receiving purposes only. According to an embodiment, the receivermay be formed integrally or separately from the speaker.

The display 160 may be a device for visually providing information to auser of the electronic device 101. The display device 160 may include,e.g., a display, a hologram device, or a projector and a control circuitfor controlling the display, hologram device, or projector. According toan embodiment, the display device 160 may include touch circuitry or apressure sensor capable of measuring the strength of a pressure for atouch.

The audio module 170 may convert a sound into an electrical signal andvice versa. According to an embodiment, the audio module 170 may obtaina sound through the input device 150 or output a sound through the soundoutput device 155 or an external electronic device (e.g., an electronicdevice 102 (e.g., a speaker or a headphone) wiredly or wirelesslyconnected with the electronic device 101.

The sensor module 176 may generate an electrical signal or data valuecorresponding to an internal operating state (e.g., power ortemperature) or external environmental state of the electronic device101. The sensor module 176 may include, e.g., a gesture sensor, a gyrosensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, anacceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor,an infrared (IR) sensor, a bio sensor, a temperature sensor, a humiditysensor, or an illuminance sensor.

The interface 177 may support a designated protocol enabling a wired orwireless connection with an external electronic device (e.g., theelectronic device 102). According to an embodiment, the interface 177may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI),a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a secure digital (SD) cardinterface, or an audio interface.

A connecting terminal 178 may include a connector, e.g., an HDMIconnector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector(e.g., a headphone connector), which is able to physically connect theelectronic device 101 with an external electronic device (e.g., theelectronic device 102).

The haptic module 179 may convert an electrical signal into a mechanicalstimulus (e.g., a vibration or motion) or electrical stimulus which maybe recognized by a user via his tactile sensation or kinestheticsensation. The haptic module 179 may include, e.g., a motor, apiezoelectric element, or an electric stimulator.

The camera module 180 may capture a still image or moving images.According to an embodiment, the camera module 180 may include one ormore lenses, an image sensor, an image signal processor, or a flash.

The power management module 188 may be a module for managing powersupplied to the electronic device 101. The power management module 188may be configured as at least part of, e.g., a power managementintegrated circuit (PMIC).

The battery 189 may be a device for supplying power to at least onecomponent of the electronic device 101. The battery 189 may include,e.g., a primary cell which is not rechargeable, a secondary cell whichis rechargeable, or a fuel cell.

The communication module 190 may support establishing a wired orwireless communication channel between the electronic device 101 and anexternal electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102, theelectronic device 104, or the server 108) and performing communicationthrough the established communication channel. The communication module190 may include one or more communication processors that are operatedindependently from the processor 120 (e.g., an application processor)and supports wired or wireless communication. According to anembodiment, the communication module 190 may include a wirelesscommunication module 192 (e.g., a cellular communication module, ashort-range wireless communication module, or a global navigationsatellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communicationmodule 194 (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or apower line communication (PLC) module). A corresponding one of thewireless communication module 192 and the wired communication module 194may be used to communicate with an external electronic device through afirst network 198 (e.g., a short-range communication network, such asBluetooth, wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared dataassociation (IrDA)) or a second network 199 (e.g., a long-rangecommunication network, such as a cellular network, the Internet, or acommunication network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)). Theabove-enumerated types of communication modules 190 may be implementedin a single chip or individually in separate chips.

According to an embodiment, the wireless communication module 192 maydifferentiate and authenticate the electronic device 101 in thecommunication network using user information stored in the subscriberidentification module 196.

The antenna module 197 may include one or more antennas for transmittingor receiving a signal or power to/from an outside. According to anembodiment, the communication module 190 (e.g., the wirelesscommunication module 192) may transmit or receive a signal to/from anexternal electronic device through an antenna appropriate for acommunication scheme.

Some of the above-described components may be connected together throughan inter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., a bus, general purposeinput/output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobileindustry processor interface (MIPI)), communicating signals (e.g.,commands or data) therebetween.

According to an embodiment, instructions or data may be transmitted orreceived between the electronic device 101 and the external electronicdevice 104 via the server 108 coupled with the second network 199. Eachof the electronic devices 102 and 104 may be a device of a same type as,or a different type, from the electronic device 101. According to anembodiment, all or some of operations executed on the electronic device101 may be run on one or more other external electronic devices.According to an embodiment, when the electronic device 101 shouldperform a certain function or service automatically or at a request, theelectronic device 101, instead of, or in addition to, executing thefunction or service on its own, may request an external electronicdevice to perform at least some functions associated therewith. Theexternal electronic device (e.g., electronic devices 102 and 104 orserver 106) may execute the requested functions or additional functionsand transfer a result of the execution to the electronic device 101. Theelectronic device 101 may provide a requested function or service byprocessing the received result as it is or additionally. To that end, acloud computing, distributed computing, or client-server computingtechnique may be used, for example.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram 200 illustrating an example of a displaydevice according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, a display device160 (e.g., the display device 160 of FIG. 1) may include a display 210and a display driver integrated circuit (DDI) 230 to control the display210. The DDI 230 may include an interface module 231, memory 233 (e.g.,a buffer memory), an image processing module 235, or a mapping module237. The DDI 230 may receive image information that contains image dataor an image control signal corresponding to a command for controllingthe image data from the processor 120 (e.g., the main processor 121(e.g., an application processor) or the auxiliary processor 123 operatedindependently from the function of the main processor 121) through,e.g., the interface module 231. The DDI 230 may communicate, forexample, with touch circuitry 250 or the sensor module 276 via theinterface module 231. The DDI 230 may also store at least part of thereceived image information in the memory 233, for example, on a frame byframe basis.

The image processing module 235 may perform pre-processing orpost-processing (e.g., adjustment of resolution, brightness, or size)with respect to at least part of the image data. According to anembodiment, the pre-processing or post-processing may be performed, forexample, based at least in part on one or more characteristics of theimage data or one or more characteristics of the display 210. Themapping module 237 may convert the image data pre- or post-processed bythe image processing module 235 into a voltage value or current value atwhich pixels of the display 210 may be driven, based on, at least, atleast part of attributes of the pixels (e.g., the array (RGB stripe orpentile) of the pixels or the size of each subpixel). At least somepixels of the display 210 may be driven based on, e.g., the voltagevalue or current value so that visual information (e.g., text, image, oricon) corresponding to the image data may be displayed on the display210.

According to an embodiment, the display 210 (e.g., the display device160 of FIG. 1) may further include the touch circuitry 250. The touchcircuitry 250 may include a touch sensor 251 and a touch sensor IC 253to control the touch sensor 151. The touch sensor IC 253 may control thetouch sensor 251, sense a touch input or hovering input at a particularposition of the display 210, e.g., by measuring a variation in a signal(e.g., a voltage, quantity of light, resistance, or quantity of electriccharge) for the particular position of the display 210, and provideinformation (e.g., the position, area, pressure, or time) regarding thesensed touch input or hovering input to the processor 120. According toan embodiment, at least part (e.g., the touch sensor IC 253) of thetouch circuitry 250 may be formed as part of the display 210 or the DDI230, or as part of another component (e.g., the auxiliary processor 123)disposed outside the display device 160.

According to an embodiment, the display device 160 may further includeat least one sensor (e.g., a fingerprint sensor, an iris sensor, apressure sensor, or an illuminance sensor) of the sensor module 176 or acontrol circuit for the at least one sensor. In such a case, the atleast one sensor or the control circuit for the at least one sensor maybe embedded in one portion of a component (e.g., the display 210, theDDI 230, or the touch circuitry 250)) of the display device 160. Forexample, when the sensor module 176 embedded in the display device 160includes a biometric sensor (e.g., a fingerprint sensor), the biometricsensor may obtain biometric information (e.g., a fingerprint image)corresponding to a touch input received via a portion of the display210. As another example, when the sensor module 176 embedded in thedisplay device 160 includes a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor mayobtain pressure information corresponding to a touch input received viaa partial or whole area of the display 160. According to an embodiment,the touch sensor 251 or the sensor module 276 may be disposed betweenpixels in a pixel layer of the display 210, or over or under the pixellayer.

The electronic device according to certain embodiments may be one ofvarious types of electronic devices. The electronic devices may includeat least one of, e.g., a portable communication device (e.g., asmartphone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portablemedical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance.According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devices arenot limited to those described above.

It should be appreciated that certain embodiments of the disclosure andthe terms used therein are not intended to limit the techniques setforth herein to particular embodiments and that various changes,equivalents, and/or replacements therefor also fall within the scope ofthe disclosure. The same or similar reference denotations may be used torefer to the same or similar elements throughout the specification andthe drawings. It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,”and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise. As used herein, the term “A or B,” “at least one of A and/orB,” “A, B, or C,” or “at least one of A, B, and/or C” may include allpossible combinations of the enumerated items. As used herein, the terms“first” and “second” may modify various components regardless ofimportance or order and are used to distinguish a component from anotherwithout limiting the components. It will be understood that when anelement (e.g., a first element) is referred to as being (operatively orcommunicatively) “coupled with/to,” or “connected with/to” anotherelement (e.g., a second element), it can be coupled or connected with/tothe other element directly or via a third element.

FIG. 3A is a block diagram 300 illustrating an example of an electronicdevice according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3A, according to anembodiment, an electronic device 301 (e.g., the electronic device 101,102, or 104 of FIG. 1) may include a processor 310 (e.g., the processor120 of FIG. 1), a display 320 (e.g., the display 210 of FIG. 2), asensor 330 (e.g., the sensor module 176 of FIG. 1 or the sensor module276 of FIG. 2), a memory 340 (e.g., the memory 130 of FIG. 1), and ahousing (not shown) to receive them. The housing may include a firsthousing forming at least a portion of a lower part of the electronicdevice 301 and at least a portion of a side part and a second housing atleast partially overlapping with the first housing and coupled with thefirst housing to move (e.g., slide or roll) on the first housing. Thedisplay 320 may at least partially be mounted on the second housing andinclude a flexible display with a bendable display area.

According to an embodiment, as one (e.g., the second housing) of thefirst housing and the second housing moves (e.g., slides out, rolls out,slides in, or rolls in) on the other housing (e.g., the first housing)in a first direction (e.g., the lengthwise direction), a display areavisually exposed to the outside of the electronic device 301 among areasof the display 320 mounted on the moving housing (e.g., the secondhousing) may be resized (e.g., enlarged or shrunken). According to anembodiment, when the display area visually exposed shrinks, at least aportion of the bendable display area may slide or roll in, and thus beretracted in, the space formed by the first housing. When the displayarea visually exposed is enlarged, the portion of the bendable displayarea which has been retracted in the space formed by the first housingmay slide or roll out of the first housing and thus be visually exposedto the outside. The portion of the display area visually exposed to theoutside may be retracted to at least partially be received by the firsthousing, e.g., as the second housing moves (e.g., slides in or rollsin). According to an embodiment, the resizing of the display area of thedisplay 320 may be performed in response to, e.g., the user's directtouch input to the first housing, which is at least partially connectedwith the display 320, or an input to another structure (e.g., a homebutton or other dedicated button) (not shown) disposed on the electronicdevice 301.

The memory 340 may store instructions to enable the processor 310 toperform various operations when executed. For example, the processor 310may determine that the screen is resized while being exposed in a firstdirection from a first surface of the display 320 as the first housingand the second housing slide over each other. The processor 310 maydetermine the screen resizing and determine whether the screen resizingmeets a designated condition for changing the resolution. When theresizing is determined to not meet the designated condition for changingresolution, the processor 310 may control performing a designated imageprocess on the screen area enlarged or shrunken as per the resizing ofthe screen exposed in the first direction. The designated image processmay be performed by an image signal processor included in the processor310 or an ISP configured in a separate device from the processor 310.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 301 may furtherinclude a driver (not shown) electrically coupled with the first housingor the second housing to move (e.g., slide in or out) the housing. Inthis case, when a designated condition (e.g., a designated application,a designated time, a designated place, a designated motion, or adesignated voice) is met even without the user's direct touch input tothe display 320 or other structure, the display area of the display 320may automatically be resized using the driver. For example, according toan embodiment, when a first designated application (e.g., a messageapplication or a default home screen) is determined to be run, thedesignated application may be run on the display area shrunken. Whenthere is determined to be a request for running a second designatedapplication (e.g., a media (e.g., video) application), the display areaof the display 320 may automatically be enlarged (e.g., slid out), andthe second designated application may be run on the enlarged displayarea. Similarly, additionally, or alternatively, upon identifying afirst designated time (e.g., a morning time), a first designated place(e.g., an office), a first designated motion (e.g., sifting or lying),or a first designated voice (e.g., a first user's voice command), thedisplay area of the display, which is visually exposed to the outside,may be shrunken. Upon identifying a second designated time (e.g., anighttime), a second designated place (e.g., home), a second designatedmotion (e.g., walking or running), or a second designated voice (e.g., asecond user's voice command), the display area of the display 320, whichis visually exposed to the outside, may be enlarged. According to anembodiment, the determination as to whether the designated is met or theoperation of the driver may be performed under the control of theprocessor 310 or another processor (e.g., a DDI (e.g., the DDI 230 ofFIG. 2) for the display 320).

FIG. 3B is a block diagram 350 illustrating a flexible display controlmodule 360 corresponding to corresponding control operations byinstructions stored in the memory 340 and executed by, e.g., theprocessor 310. Referring to FIG. 3B, the flexible display control module360 may include a screen resizing module 361, a condition determiningmodule 362, and an image processing module 363. According to anembodiment, the flexible display control module 360 may further includea screen displaying module 364 (or sub-modules corresponding to theother control operations). Operations of the flexible display controlmodule 360 are described below in detail with reference to, e.g., FIG.4B.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device (e.g., the electronicdevice 101 of FIG. 1 or the electronic device 301 of FIG. 3) maycomprise a first housing (e.g., the first housing 1850 of FIG. 18), asecond housing (e.g., the second housing 1810 of FIG. 18) at leastpartially overlapping with the first housing, the second housing beingmovable, a flexible display (e.g., the flexible display 320 of FIG. 3 orthe flexible display 1830 of FIG. 18) at least partially mounted on asurface of the second housing and including a flexible area at leastpartially received in an inner space of the first housing, such that atleast a portion of the flexible area is configured to be visuallyexposed to the outside of the electronic device as the second housingmoves over the first housing in a first direction and be retracted intothe inner space of the first housing as the second housing moves overthe first housing in a second direction (which is opposite to the firstdirection), a processor (e.g., the processor 310 of FIG. 3), and amemory (e.g., the memory 340 of FIG. 3), such that the memory may storeinstructions executed to enable the processor to control identifying theresizing of a screen visually exposed to the outside of the flexibledisplay when the second housing moves over the first housing in thefirst direction or the second direction, determine whether the screenresizing meets a designated condition, and when the screen resizing doesnot meet the designated condition, perform a designated image process onthe at least a portion corresponding to the resizing of the flexibledisplay.

According to an embodiment, the memory may store instructions executedto enable the processor to, when the resizing meets the designatedcondition, control the change of the resolution of the screen visuallyexposed to the outside into a designated resolution.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further comprise aroller configured to bend the flexible display around a designatedradius to allow the at least a portion of the flexible area retractedinto the inner space of the first housing as the second housing movesover the first housing in the second direction to be disposed inparallel with the area visually exposed to the outside of the flexibledisplay.

According to an embodiment, the memory may store instructions executedto enable the processor to control performing an image process includingoverlapping with a designated masking layer on an area of the screenincreased or decreased corresponding to the resizing.

According to an embodiment, the memory may store instructions executedto enable the processor to control applying a first designated alphablending value to a first area virtually exposed to the outside of theflexible display and a second designated alpha blending value to asecond area retracted into the inner space of the first housing of theflexible display to generate the masking layer.

According to an embodiment, the memory may store instructions executedto enable the processor to control determining the size of an expandedarea exceeding the resolution designated for the screen visually exposedto the outside according to the resizing, determine a type ofinformation to be displayed on the expanded area at least partiallybased on the result of the determination, and display the information onthe expanded area at least partially based on the determined type.

According to an embodiment, the type of information may include at leastone of text, an icon, or a combination of text and an icon.

According to an embodiment, the memory may store instructions executedto enable the processor to control displaying an execution screen for afirst application on the screen visually exposed to the outside of theflexible display, as an event related to a second application occurs,display information related to the event to overlap with at least aportion of the execution screen of the first application, determine anaspect ratio of the area of the increased or decreased screen of theflexible display according to the resizing, and adjust the informationrelated to the event or the execution screen of the first application atleast partially based on the determined aspect ratio.

According to an embodiment, the memory may store instructions executedto enable the processor to control determining an aspect ratio based onwhether a mode of a screen displayed on the electronic device is alandscape view mode or a portrait view mode.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further comprise adielectric disposed in the inner space of the first housing to face thesecond housing and having a second permittivity different from a firstpermittivity of an adjacent part, such that the memory may storeinstructions executed to enable the processor to control determining theposition detected by the dielectric on the screen of the flexibledisplay and determine the size of the screen visually exposed to theoutside of the flexible display based on the determined position.

According to an embodiment, a portable communication device (e.g., theelectronic device 101 of FIG. 1 or the electronic device 301 of FIG. 3)may comprise a first housing (e.g., the first housing 1850 of FIG. 18)forming at least a bottom portion and at least a side portion of theportable communication device, a second housing (e.g., the secondhousing 1810 of FIG. 18) at least partially overlapping with the firsthousing in a height direction of the portable communication device andmovably coupled with the first housing, a flexible display (e.g., theflexible display 320 of FIG. 3 or the flexible display 1830 of FIG. 18)mounted on one surface of the second housing, when at least a displayarea of the flexible display is retracted into an inner space of theportable communication device when the second housing moves over thefirst housing in a first direction and is visually exposed to theoutside when the second housing moves in a second direction opposite tothe first direction, a first antenna formed in the first housing, and asecond antenna formed in the second housing, such that the first antennaand the second antenna may be configured not to overlap with each otherin a height direction.

According to an embodiment, at least the display area may be bendablewhen retracted into the inner space of the first housing.

According to an embodiment, at least an area of the second housingcorresponding to at least the bendable display area (e.g., positionedunder the display area) may be bendable.

According to an embodiment, the flexible display may further includeanother resizable display area visually exposed to the outside towards arear surface of the portable communication device.

According to an embodiment, the other display area may be connected withat least the display area. According to an embodiment, the other displayarea may be physically connected with at least the display area. Forexample, the other display area may be expanded from at least thedisplay area, allowing for display on the full area. According to anembodiment, at least the display area may be connected to a side, andthe other display area may be connected to the opposite side, with aflexible printed circuit board (FPCB) disposed therebetween. Accordingto an embodiment, some area corresponding to the FPCB is undisplayable,and at least the display area and the other display area connected withboth the sides with the FPCB disposed therebetween are displayable.

According to an embodiment, the other display area may be configured tobe visually exposed to the outside towards the rear surface when thesecond housing moves in the first direction and be retracted into theinner space when the second housing moves in the second direction.

According to an embodiment, the second housing may be configured to beslid in the first direction or the second direction by a force appliedfrom the outside.

According to an embodiment, the portable communication device mayfurther comprise a memory configured to store first context informationindicating a first designated condition and second context informationindicating a second designated condition; a driver configured to drivethe first housing or the second housing; and a processor configured toobtain a designated condition in relation to executing the portablecommunication device, move the first housing in the first directionusing the driver when the designated condition corresponds to the firstdesignated condition, and move the second housing in the seconddirection using the driver when the designated condition corresponds tothe second designated condition.

According to an embodiment, the processor may be configured to determinean application executed on the portable communication device or a place,a movement, a time, or a voice command for the portable communicationdevice as at least part of the designated condition.

According to an embodiment, the processor may be configured to determinethat the designated condition corresponds to the first designatedcondition when the application is a first designated application anddetermine that the designated condition corresponds to the seconddesignated condition when the application is a second designatedapplication.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device (e.g., the electronicdevice 101 of FIG. 1 or the electronic device 301 of FIG. 3) maycomprise a first structure (e.g., the main bracket 7620 of FIG. 76)including a first flat plate (e.g., the first flat plate 7621 of FIG.76) including a first surface and a second surface facing away from thefirst surface, a second structure (e.g., the back bracket 7670 of FIG.76) including a second flat plate (e.g., the second flat plate 7671 ofFIG. 76) facing the second surface of the first flat plate and forming aspace towards the second surface, at least a portion of the first flatplate (an ending part) at least partially received in the space, and aflexible touchscreen display (e.g., the flexible display 7610 of FIG.76) mounted on the first surface of the first flat plate and including aflexible area at least partially received in the space, such that thefirst flat plate is configured to move between a closed position inwhich the first flat plate moves over the second structure in a firstdirection to close in relation to the second structure and an openposition in which the first flat plate moves over the second structurein a second direction opposite to the first direction to open inrelation to the second structure, such that the flexible touchscreendisplay may include a flat part (e.g., the first surface 7611 of FIG.76) expanding across at least a portion of the first surface and a bend(e.g., the second surface 7612 of FIG. 76) expanding from the flat partto the space in the closed position, and such that when the first flatplate moves from the closed position to the open state, at least aportion of the bend may be pulled from the space to form a substantiallyflat surface between the flat part and the second structure as viewedfrom above the first flat plate.

According to an embodiment, the second structure may further include afirst side wall perpendicular to the second flat plate, a second sidewall perpendicular to the first side wall and the second flat plate, anda third side wall perpendicular to the first side wall and the secondflat plate and parallel with the second side wall, such that the secondflat plate, the first side wall, the second side wall, and the thirdside wall may together form a trough with a side opening to receive atleast a portion of the first structure, such that the first structuremay be movable between the closed position and the open position inrelation to the second structure in a first direction parallel to thesecond flat plate and the second side wall, and such that the firststructure may be a first distance away from the first side wall in theclosed position and be a second distance away from the first side wallin the open position, the second distance being larger than the firstdistance.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further comprise ashaft (e.g., the roller 1321 of FIG. 13) positioned in the trough,coupled with the second structure, and expanding away from the firstside wall by a gap in a second direction perpendicular to the firstdirection and an expandable supporting structure (e.g., the supportingstructure 1322 a and 1322 b of FIG. 13) positioned adjacent the firstside wall, coupled with a surrounding of the first side wall, andbendingly expanded to the space around the shaft in the closed position,when the first structure moves from the closed position to the openstate, at least a portion of the supporting structure may be pulled fromthe space to form a substantially flat surface between the firststructure and the first side wall as viewed from above the first flatplate, and such that the bend of the flexible touchscreen display may becoupled with the supporting structure.

According to an embodiment, the supporting structure may include aplurality of bars (e.g., the multi-hinge structure 1840 of FIG. 18)coupled together in parallel with each other and expanding in the seconddirection.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further comprise aguiding structure attached to the second flat plate in the trough andconfigured to guide at least one guiding component coupled with thesupporting structure.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further comprise aprinted circuit board (PCB) (e.g., the PCB 7630 of FIG. 76) coupled withthe first structure, a processor (e.g., the processor 310 of FIG. 3)affixed to the PCB and operatively connected with the flexibletouchscreen display, and a memory (e.g., the memory 340 of FIG. 3)affixed to the PCB and operatively connected with the processor.

According to an embodiment, the first flat plate may include a firstarea, and the second flat plate may include a second area smaller thanthe first area

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further comprise athird flat plate coupled with the first structure to position the PCBbetween the second surface and the third flat plate.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further comprise apiezoelectric speaker (e.g., the sound output device 155 of FIG. 1)between the third flat plate and the second surface of the firststructure.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further comprise amember (e.g., the dielectric 1870 of FIG. 18) coupled with the secondstructure in the trough and having a selected capacitance, such that thememory may store instructions executed to enable the processor toreceive coordinates on the flexible touchscreen display, which areclosest to the member from a display layer and determine the position ofthe first structure between the closed position and the open position atleast partially based on the coordinates.

According to an embodiment, in the closed position, the bend of theflexible touchscreen display may be further expanded to a space betweenthe second surface of the first structure and the second flat plate ofthe second structure.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further comprise adisplay drive integrated circuit (DDI) (e.g., the DDI 230 of FIG. 2)affixed to the bend of the flexible touchscreen display to be positionedbetween the first structure and the bend in the closed position.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device (e.g., the electronicdevice 101 of FIG. 1 or the electronic device 301 of FIG. 3) maycomprise a first housing (e.g., the first housing 1850 of FIG. 18), asecond housing (e.g., the second housing 1810 of FIG. 18) at leastpartially overlapping with the first housing, the second housing beingmovable, a flexible display (e.g., the flexible display 1830 of FIG. 18)at least partially mounted on a surface of the second housing andincluding a flexible area at least partially received in an inner spaceof the first housing, such that at least a portion of the flexible areais configured to be visually exposed to the outside of the electronicdevice as the second housing moves over the first housing in a firstdirection and be retracted into the inner space of the first housing asthe second housing moves over the first housing in a second direction, aprocessor (e.g., the processor 310 of FIG. 3), and a memory (e.g., thememory 340 of FIG. 3), such that the memory may store instructionsexecuted to enable the processor to control displaying an image for keyentry in a first position on a first surface of the flexible display,determine the resizing of a screen visually exposed to the outside on afirst surface of the flexible display as the first housing and thesecond housing move in a first direction, update the exposed screenexcept for the image for key entry as per the screen resizing, and whenthe movement stops within a designated time, display the image for keyentry in a second position changed given a distance of the movement.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device (e.g., the electronicdevice 101 of FIG. 1 or the electronic device 301 of FIG. 3) maycomprise a first housing (e.g., the first housing 1850 of FIG. 18), asecond housing (e.g., the second housing 1810 of FIG. 18) at leastpartially overlapping with the first housing, the second housing beingmovable, a flexible display (e.g., the flexible display 1830 of FIG. 18)at least partially mounted on a surface of the second housing andincluding a flexible area at least partially received in an inner spaceof the first housing, such that at least a portion of the flexible areais configured to be visually exposed to the outside of the electronicdevice as the second housing moves over the first housing in a firstdirection and be retracted into the inner space of the first housing asthe second housing moves over the first housing in a second direction, aprocessor (e.g., the processor 310 of FIG. 3), and a memory (e.g., thememory 340 of FIG. 3), such that the memory may store instructionsexecuted to enable the processor to control to displaying an executionscreen of a first application on a first area of a first surface of theflexible display, display an execution screen of a second application ona second area of the first surface of the flexible display, determine areorientation of the electronic device, and change display layouts ofthe first application and the second application given an aspect ratioof the first application or an aspect ratio of the second applicationand corresponding to the reorientation.

FIG. 4A is a flowchart 400 illustrating an example of identifying theresizing of a display of an electronic device according to anembodiment. Referring to FIG. 4A, in operation 411, an electronic device(e.g., the electronic device 101 of FIG. 1 or the electronic device 301of FIG. 3) (e.g., the processor 120 or 310 of the electronic device) mayreceive data of a screen resolution corresponding to when the display(e.g., a flexible display) of the electronic device has been maximallyexpanded.

In operation 413, the electronic device may detect the resizing of adisplay area (e.g., a screen area exposed in the first direction) of afront surface (e.g., a first surface) of the display as the display(e.g., a flexible display) moves.

In operation 415, the electronic device may determine the changed sizeof the display area.

In operation 417, the electronic device may generate a masking layercorresponding to the determined size of the display area. In operation419, the electronic device may apply the generated masking layer to thedata of screen resolution corresponding to the maximum expansionreceived and display the same on the screen. Various embodiments ofapplying a masking layer and displaying on the screen by the electronicdevice are described later.

FIG. 4B is a flowchart illustrating an example of identifying theresizing of a display of an electronic device according to anembodiment. Referring to FIG. 4B, in operation 421, an electronic device(e.g., the electronic device 101 of FIG. 1 or the electronic device 301of FIG. 3) (e.g., the processor 120 or 310 of the electronic device) orthe flexible display control module 360 of FIG. 3B) may detect theresizing of the display (e.g., a flexible display) of the electronicdevice using, e.g., at least one sensor (e.g., a hall sensor, touchsensor, force sensor, or dielectric). For example, the electronic devicemay detect the resizing of a display area (e.g., a screen area exposedin the first direction) of a front surface (e.g., a first surface) ofthe display as the display (e.g., a flexible display) moves. Accordingto an embodiment, detecting the resizing may be performed by, e.g., thescreen resizing module 361.

In operation 423, the electronic device may determine whether adesignated resolution change condition is met as the display is resized.When the resolution change condition is determined to not be met, inoperation 425, the electronic device may perform a designated imageprocess (e.g., alpha blending using the masking layer or displayingbrief information or an icon of application associated with the currentscreen) on the area enlarged or shrunken by the resizing (e.g.,enlarging or shrinking). Various embodiments of applying a masking layerand displaying on the screen by the electronic device are describedlater. The image process may be performed by, e.g., the image processingmodule 363.

When the resolution change condition is determined to be met, inoperation 427, the electronic device may apply the changed resolutionand display the resized screen. According to an embodiment, displayingthe resized screen may be performed by, e.g., the screen displayingmodule 364.

According to an embodiment, a method for controlling an electronicdevice including a first housing, a second housing at least partiallyoverlapping with the first housing, the second housing being movable, aflexible display at least partially mounted on a surface of the secondhousing and including a flexible area at least partially received in aninner space of the first housing, such that at least a portion of theflexible area is configured to be visually exposed to the outside of theelectronic device as the second housing moves over the first housing ina first direction and be retracted into the inner space of the firsthousing as the second housing moves over the first housing in a seconddirection opposite to the first direction, a processor, and a memory maycomprise identifying the resizing of a screen visually exposed to theoutside of the flexible display when the second housing moves over thefirst housing in the first direction or the second direction,determining whether the screen resizing meets a designated condition,and when the screen resizing does not meet the designated condition,performing a designated image process on the at least a portioncorresponding to the resizing of the flexible display.

According to an embodiment, the method may further comprise, when theresizing meets the designated condition, changing the resolution of thescreen that is visually exposed to the outside into a designatedresolution.

According to an embodiment, the method may further comprise performingan image process including overlapping with a designated masking layeron an area of the screen increased or decreased corresponding to theresizing.

According to an embodiment, the method may further comprise applying afirst designated alpha blending value to a first area virtually exposedto the outside of the flexible display and a second designated alphablending value to a second area retracted into the inner space of thefirst housing of the flexible display to generate the masking layer.

According to an embodiment, the method may further comprise determiningthe size of an expanded area exceeding the resolution designated for thescreen visually exposed to the outside according to the resizing,determining a type of information to be displayed on the expanded areaat least partially based on the result of the determination, anddisplaying the information on the expanded area at least partially basedon the determined type.

According to an embodiment, the type of information may include at leastone of text, an icon, or a combination of text and an icon.

According to an embodiment, the method may further comprise displayingan execution screen for a first application on the screen visuallyexposed to the outside of the flexible display, as an event related to asecond application occurs, displaying information related to the eventto overlap with at least a portion of the execution screen of the firstapplication, determining an aspect ratio of the area of the increased ordecreased screen of the flexible display according to the resizing, andadjusting the information related to the event or the execution screenof the first application at least partially based on the determinedaspect ratio.

According to an embodiment, the method may further comprise determiningan aspect ratio based on whether a mode of a screen displayed on theelectronic device is a landscape view mode or a portrait view mode.

According to an embodiment, the method may further comprise displayingan image for key entry in a first position on a first surface of theflexible display, determining the resizing of a screen visually exposedto the outside on a first surface of the flexible display as the firsthousing and the second housing slide-move in a first direction, updatethe exposed screen except for the image for key entry as per the screenresizing, and when the movement stops within a designated time, displaythe image for key entry in a second position changed given a distance ofthe movement.

According to an embodiment, the method may further comprise displayingan execution screen of a first application on a first area of a firstsurface of the flexible display, displaying an execution screen of asecond application on a second area of the first surface of the flexibledisplay, determining a reorientation of the electronic device, andchanging display layouts of the first application and the secondapplication given an aspect ratio of the first application or an aspectratio of the second application and corresponding to the reorientation.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating various examples of expansion of aflexible display of an electronic device according to an embodiment.Referring to FIG. 5, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101 or 301) may include a first housing 520, a second housing 510, and aflexible display 501.

According to an embodiment, at least part of the flexible display 501may be affixed or coupled to the second housing 510. At least part ofthe second housing 510 may overlap with the first housing 520 and beslide-engaged with the first housing 520.

The flexible display 501 may be configured such that the portion of theflexible display 501 actually exposed for viewing and display can beadjusted in size. That is, the display area of the flexible display 501can in some cases be “shrunken” by at least partial insertion into thesecond housing 510, as the second housing 510 and the first housing 520slide relative to one other. According to an embodiment, the flexibledisplay 501 may be stowed inside the second housing 510 by curving intoa “U-shape.”

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the flexible display 501 expandsfrom the second housing 510, the display area of the flexible display501 may be reduced in size, as seen from 521 to 522, as disposed on therear surface of the electronic device 500.

According to an embodiment, one side surface of the second housing 510may be formed as a curved surface, to connect the front and rearsurfaces of the electronic device 500. For example, the flexible display501 may at least partially slide in or out along the curved surfacewithin the second housing 510

According to an embodiment, as the first housing 520 and the secondhousing 510 slide relative to one other, the flexible display 501 mayslide into or out of the first housing 520 (depending on the directionof motion) while being physically supported by the second housing 510.As the second housing 510 moves, at least part of the flexible display501 may be received into the interior of the first housing 520, or beexpanded towards the other side surface of the first housing 520.

According to an embodiment, at least part of the second housing 510 orthe first housing 520 may include a transparent window 521 a. The reardisplay area 521 of the flexible display 501 received inside the firsthousing 520 may be exposed through the transparent window 521 a. Forexample, as the second housing 510 and the first housing 520 sliderelative to one other, the area of the rear display area 521 exposed tothe outside of the first housing 520 through the transparent window 521a by change, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

According to an embodiment, the flexible display 501 may at leastpartially be received in an inner space formed by the bottom surface andtwo or more side surfaces of the first housing 520.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart 600 illustrating an example of identifying theresizing of a display of an electronic device according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, in operation 610, an electronic device (e.g., theelectronic device 101 of FIG. 1 or the electronic device 301 of FIG. 3)(e.g., the processor 120 or 310 of the electronic device) may detect asignal from a hall sensor.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may include the hallsensor (e.g., the hall sensor may be mounted on a printed circuit board(PCB) inside the electronic device). The electronic device may determinea repositioning of the second housing from a signal sensed by the hallsensor and determine, e.g., the position or movement of the flexibledisplay based on the repositioning of the second housing. According toan embodiment, the electronic device may grasp the moved position of theflexible display and determine whether the flexible display has expandedor shrunken by the hall sensor, and the electronic device may determine,e.g., the start and end of movement of the flexible display through avariation in value sensed by the hall sensor.

In operation 620, the electronic device may set a touch sensingfunction. According to an embodiment, when the function for sensingtouch inputs is currently off (e.g., when there is no image displayed onthe screen), the electronic device may activate the touch sensingfunction, and upon identifying a touch input made within apre-designated time, disregard, or disable the function of, the touchinput and initialize the touch sensing function. For example, accordingto an embodiment, the electronic device may reset the reference pointfor determining touch input.

In operation 630, the electronic device may identify whether recognitionof coordinates of a touch at a particular position is varied. When therecognition of coordinates of a touch at the particular position isidentified to be varied, the electronic device may perform operation630.

Unless the recognition of coordinates of a touch is identified to bevaried, the electronic device may reset the touch sensing function orthe coordinates of a touch in operation 640. For example, the electronicdevice may identify the resizing of the flexible display based on thesensed signal from the hall sensor and reset the coordinates of a touchon the flexible display according to the resizing. For example, theelectronic device may reset the reference point for touch inputdetermination and initialize the touch sensing function.

In operation 650, the resetting of the touch sensing function may beperformed within a range from maximum touch coordinates and minimumtouch coordinates.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an example of a configuration of anelectronic device according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, anelectronic device 700 may include a main body 701, a dielectric 710, aflexible display 720, a first housing 731, or a second housing 730.

According to an embodiment, at least a side surface of the main body 701may be a curved surface to facilitate sliding of the flexible display720 along the curved surface. For example, various pieces of informationmay be displayed on the flexible display 720 according the state of atleast part of the flexible display 720, while the flexible display 720is exposed on the main body 701 through the front surface of theelectronic device 700.

According to an embodiment, the dielectric 710 may contain a materialwith a permittivity different from that of surrounding components. Theflexible display 720 may interact with the dielectric 710 inconsideration of the coordinates of at least one touch or a pixelpositioned in a particular area contacting or approaching the dielectric710, which may be used to determine whether the flexible display 720moves. The position or size of the screen display area may be based onthe coordinates of the at least one touch or pixel, as sensed by thedielectric 710. According to an embodiment, the dielectric 710 may beaffixed to at least a partial surface inside the first housing 731 notto come in contact with the flexible display 720.

According to an embodiment, as the second housing 730 and the firsthousing 731 slide over each other, the flexible display 720 may be atleast partially moved along the curved surface from the rear to frontsurface or from the front to rear surface.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an example of a screen configurationdisplayed as a flexible display of an electronic device resizesaccording to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device 800 may include aflexible display 801. As a sliding part (e.g., the second housing) ofthe electronic device 800 moves, a portion of the flexible display 801may come into the inside of the electronic device 800 to shrink orexpand to the outside.

Referring to FIG. 8, the flexible display 801 may display screen 810corresponding to an application running on the electronic device 800.The size of the screen display area 810 of the application maycorrespond to the resolution of the flexible display 801. The electronicdevice 800 may process and display at least part of the applicationscreen 810 depending on the size of the portion exposed through thefront surface of the electronic device 800 of the overall area of theflexible display 801.

According to an embodiment, the user may move a sliding portion (e.g.,the sliding part) downwards in order to expand the screen display area810 of the flexible display 801 exposed. For example, the electronicdevice 800 may perform image processing on the screen area 820corresponding to the expanded portion of the whole screen of theapplication, according to a designated scheme.

According to an embodiment, the flexible display 801 may at leastpartially include a curved surface according to the shape of the mainbody of the electronic device 800. The electronic device 800 may set thedisplay of screen areas 811 and 821 displayed on the curved surface. Forexample, the electronic device 800 may apply, for example various imageeffects, colors, or filters to the screen areas displayed on the curvedsurface. Various relevant embodiments are described below.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an example of a screen configurationdisplayed as a flexible display of an electronic device resizesaccording to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device 900 (e.g., theelectronic device 101 of FIG. 1 or the electronic device 301 of FIG. 3)may include a flexible display. As a second housing (e.g., a slidingpart) of the electronic device 900 moves, a portion of the flexibledisplay may selectively be inserted into the inside of the electronicdevice, or may expand to an exterior.

Referring to FIG. 9, the electronic device 900 may display a screen 910of a first application being executed through the flexible display. Forexample, the first application may provide a resolution-fixed screen.The electronic device 900 may display the screen according to thedesignated resolution and considering the orientation (e.g., thelandscape orientation) of the electronic device 900.

According to an embodiment, while the screen 910 of the firstapplication is displayed, an event related to a second application mayoccur in the electronic device 900. For example, the electronic device900 may overlay and display a notification message 901 to indicate theoccurrence of the second application-related event on at least a portionof the screen 910 of the first application.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 900 may identifywhether the area of the flexible display expands within a designatedtime of the display of the notification message 901. For example, whenthe area of the flexible display expands within the designated time, theelectronic device 900 may display the execution screen 920 of the secondapplication on the expanded portion 920 of the flexible display.

According to an embodiment, when the area of the flexible displayshrinks, the execution screen 920 of the second application may beundisplayed, an image (e.g., an icon) related with the secondapplication may be displayed, or the execution screen 920 may berelocated in another portion while overlapping with the execution screen910 of the first application or be transformed and relocated in anotherportion.

According to an embodiment, an event related to the second applicationmay arise while the execution screen 910 of the first application isbeing displayed with the area of the flexible display of the electronicdevice 900 expanded. When a second application-related event occurs withthe flexible display of the electronic device 900 already expanded, theelectronic device 900 may display the execution screen 920 of the secondapplication on the expanded portion of the flexible display even withoutan extra manipulation or user input to the flexible display.

According to an embodiment, when a second application-related eventoccurs, the electronic device 900 may determine whether the screen ofthe flexible display is in the expanded or shrunken state, and when anoperation (e.g., an execution operation preset by the user or areal-time execution operation) corresponding to the occurrence of theevent is performed, rearrange the screen 910 of the first applicationand the screen 920 of the first application based on the aspect ratio ofthe screen area of the flexible display.

According to an embodiment, after the rearrangement of the screen 910 ofthe first application and the screen 920 of the second application, whenthe area of the flexible display shrinks, information related to theevent corresponding to the second application may be displayed using areduced size, reconfigured or rearranged, minimized or otherwise removedfrom display to accommodate the shrunken screen size.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating an example of a screen configurationdisplayed according to an orientation of an electronic device as aflexible display of the electronic device resizes according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10, the electronic device 1000 may display a screen1010 of a first application being executed through the flexible display.For example, the first application may provide a resolution-fixedscreen. The electronic device 1000 may display the screen according tothe designated resolution and considering the orientation (e.g., theportrait orientation) of the electronic device 1000.

According to an embodiment, while the screen 1010 of the firstapplication is displayed, an event related to a second application mayoccur in the electronic device 1000. For example, the electronic device1000 may display a notification message 1002 to indicate the occurrenceof the second application-related event on the screen 1010 of the firstapplication.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 1000 may identifywhether the area of the flexible display expands within a pre-designatedtime of the display of the notification message 1002. For example, whenthe area of the flexible display expands within the designated time, theelectronic device 1000 may reconfigure and display the execution screen1010 of the first application on the expanded portion 1011 of theflexible display and display the execution screen 1020 of the secondapplication on the portion on which the execution screen 1010 of thefirst application has previously been displayed.

According to an embodiment, when the area of the flexible displayshrinks, the execution screen 1020 of the second application may beundisplayed, an image (e.g., an icon) related with the secondapplication may be displayed, or the execution screen 1020 may berelocated in another portion while overlapping with the execution screen1010 of the first application or be transformed and relocated.

According to an embodiment, the flexible display may at least partiallya curved surface depending on the shape of the main body of theelectronic device 1000. For example, the electronic device 101 may setand display the portion 1011 of the screen 1010 of the first applicationand the portion 1021 of the screen 1020 of the second application whichare displayed on the curved surface, differently from theirsurroundings. For example, the electronic device 1000 may apply, e.g.,various image effects, colors, or filters to the screen areas displayedon the curved surface.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating an example of a screen configurationdisplayed on a rear surface of an electronic device as a flexibledisplay of the electronic device resizes according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device 1100 may include aflexible display 1101. For example, the electronic device 1100 may setscreens to be displayed on the rear surface portion of the screen of theflexible display 1101 depending on running applications.

Referring to FIG. 11, as the flexible display 1101 moves so that thedisplay area expands or shrinks, the electronic device 1100 may identifythe screen portion 1110 displayed on the rear surface of the flexibledisplay 1101. For example, the electronic device 1100 may reconfigureand display the screen 1111 of the running application depending on thesize of the screen portion 1110 displayed on the rear surface. Accordingto an embodiment, an image (e.g., a button 1120 for taking photos) forkey entry or a multi-window screen may be displayed on the screenportion 1110 displayed on the rear surface.

According to an embodiment, the application may be a camera application,and a button 1120 for taking photos may be displayed on the screen 1111of the running application.

According to an embodiment, when the area of the flexible display, whichhas been exposed on the rear surface of the electronic device 1100 as itexpands, shrinks while the screen 1111 of the application is beingdisplayed, the electronic device 1100 may display at least part (e.g.,the button 1120) of the screen (1111) configuration of the applicationon the shrunken area of the flexible display, configure a screen relatedto the application (e.g., changes the color of the screen into white toplay a role as a flashlight), or change the screen resolution.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart 1200 illustrating an example of displaying anobject as a flexible display of an electronic device resizes accordingto an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 12, a home key 1201 may be displayedon at least a portion of the screen area of the flexible display of theelectronic device 1100. According to an embodiment, when the flexibledisplay expands or shrinks, a change may be made to the screen displayedon the front surface of the flexible display. According to anembodiment, the home key 1201 may be implemented to be positioned withina constant distance from the bottom of the electronic device despite thescreen resizing of the flexible display.

In operation 1210, the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101 of FIG. 1 or the electronic device 301 of FIG. 3) may determinewhether the coordinates of a touch shift using a hall sensor ordielectric as the flexible display slides to expand or shrink its area.

According to an embodiment, in operation 1210, the electronic device maydetermine whether the screen is resized by the slide and resultantexpansion (or shrinkage) of the flexible display, using, e.g., thecoordinates of a touch sensed by a hall sensor or dielectric.

Upon identifying a change in the touch coordinates by a hall sensor, theelectronic device 1100 may, e.g., temporarily stop displaying the homekey 1201 being displayed in the designated position on the flexibledisplay in operation 1220.

When a predetermined time elapses and the flexible display stops moving,the electronic device may determine the coordinates for the currentdisplay on the flexible display in operation 1230. In other words, whenthe flexible display moves, the electronic device 1100 may determine thechange coordinates for the display, which has been made by the movement.

In operation 1240, the electronic device may display the home key at thechange coordinates. The change coordinates may reflect the movement ofthe flexible display and be yielded by adding or subtracting the moveddistance of the flexible display to/from the pre-change coordinates.

In operation 1250, the electronic device may update the touch referenceposition for the flexible display, resetting the touch sensing function.For example, the electronic device may update the touch inputcoordinates for the home key and reset the reference point for touchinput determination.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a displayof an electronic device according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG.13, an electronic device may include a sliding part 1310 and a fixture1320. For example, the fixture 1320 may be affixed to the main body ofthe electronic device, and the sliding part 1310 may be configured toslide along the curved surface of the main body.

The sliding part 1310 may include, e.g., a transparent cover 1311, atleast one retarder (e.g., a first retarder 1312, a second retarder 1313b, or a third retarder 1316), polarizers 1313, and a display panel 1314.The retarder may also be referred to as a retardation layer, phaseretarder, phase retardation plate, or waveplate.

The cover 1311 may be disposed on the front surface of the electronicdevice or housing or may be disposed to form at least a portion of thefront surface. The cover 1311 may also be referred to hereinafter as atransparent member, window, or cover glass. According to an embodiment,the cover 131 may contain, e.g., a polyimide (PI) film. According to anembodiment, another cover with a similar material to the cover 1311 maybe formed on the cover 1311 to protect the cover 1311.

The first retarder 1312 may convert linear polarization into circularpolarization or vice versa. The first retarder 1312 may maintainnon-polarization. For example, the first retarder 1312 may be disposedbetween the cover 1311 and the display panel 1314 or between the cover1311 and the polarizers 1313.

According to an embodiment, the first retarder 1312 may be configured tochange the polarization of incident light between linear polarizationand non-linear polarization. For example, the first retarder 1312 may beconfigured to change the polarization of incident light between linearpolarization, circular polarization, and elliptical polarization. Forexample, the first retarder 1312 may include a λ/4 waveplate or a(2n+1))λ/4 waveplate (where n is a positive integer)

The polarizers 1313 may include a first polarizer 1313 a and a secondretarder 1313 b and be disposed between the cover 1311 and the displaypanel 1314 or between the retarder 1312 and the display panel 1314. Forexample, the polarizers 1313 may be configured to linearly polarizeincident light.

According to an embodiment, the polarizer 1313 may be configured tochange the polarization of incident light from non-polarization tolinear polarization. The polarizer 1313 may be configured to transmit afirst polarization component (e.g., a parallel polarization(P-polarization) component) of incident light while at least partiallyblocking a second polarization component (e.g., a perpendicularpolarization (S-polarization) component) of the incident light. Thepolarization direction of the first polarization component may beperpendicular to the polarization direction of the second polarizationcomponent.

According to an embodiment, the second retarder 1313 b may be disposedbetween the cover 1311 and the display panel 1314 or between the firstpolarizer 1313 a and the display panel 1314. For example, the secondretarder 1313 b may be configured to change the polarization of incidentlight between linear polarization and non-linear polarization.

According to an embodiment, the second retarder 1313 b may be configuredto change the polarization of incident light from linear polarization tocircular polarization or elliptical polarization. For example, thesecond retarder 1313 b may include a λ/4 waveplate or a (2n+1)λ/4waveplate (where n is a positive integer) According to an embodiment,the second retarder 1313 b may change the phase of incident light tosubstantially 90 degrees. The phase change may turn linear polarizationinto circular polarization or elliptical polarization. For example, whenparallel-polarized (P-polarized) light enters the λ/4 waveplate at 45degrees with respect to the fast axis of the λ/4 waveplate, the λ/4waveplate may cause a phase difference of 90 degrees between thepolarization component as per the fast axis and the polarizationcomponent as per the axis perpendicular to the fast axis, converting theparallel polarization into right-handed circular polarization.Conversely, when left-handed circular-polarized light comes into the λ/4waveplate, the λ/4 waveplate may convert the left-handed circularpolarization into perpendicular polarization (S-polarization).

The fixture 1320 may include a roller 1321 (or a shaft), at least onesupporting structure (e.g., a first supporting structure 1322 a or asecond supporting structure 1322 b), or a finger sensor 1323.

At least part of the roller 1321 may contact the display panel 1314, andas the sliding part 1310 moves, the display panel 1314 may slide alongthe surface of the roller 1321.

The at least one supporting structure (e.g., the first supportingstructure 1322 a) may be disposed around the finger sensor 1323 toprevent the finger sensor 1323 and the third retarder 1316 fromcontacting each other.

The finger print sensor 1323 may include an image sensor configured todetect at least a portion of light. For example, the fingerprint sensoror the image sensor may be formed on the rear surface of the displaypanel 1314 or on a layer of pixels in the display panel 1314.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 1301 or a processor(e.g., the processor 120) of the electronic device 1301 may control thedisplay panel 1314 to emit first light to the cover 1311. The electronicdevice 1301 may block second light reflected from the user'sskin/fingerprint 1303 or the cover 1311 using the first retarder 1312,the first polarizer 1313, and the second retarder 1313 b. The electronicdevice 1301 or the processor of the electronic device 1301 may detect atleast a portion of the light coming from the user's skin using thefinger print sensor 1323. At least a portion of the detected light mayrepresent a fingerprint image.

According to an embodiment, the display panel 1314 may include aplurality of pixels 1314 a and 1314 b arrayed in a matrix structure of Mrows and N columns. Each pixel 1314 a and 1314 b may include a red (R)sub-pixel, a green (G) sub-pixel, and a blue (B) sub-pixel. For example,the display panel 1314 may be configured to allow each pixel to emitfirst light forward of the front surface of the electronic device (e.g.,in a first direction) according to a selected combination of the RGBsub-pixels.

According to an embodiment, embossing members (or buffer member) 1315provided between the display panel 1314 and the third retarder 1316 maybe omitted. For example, when the sliding part 1310 including thedisplay panel 1314 slides in order to allow the embossing members 1315to overlap with the finger sensor 1323, with the result of thedeterioration of the fingerprint scanning capability of the fingersensor 1323. According to an embodiment, the embossing members 1315 aand 1315 b may be omitted, or a plurality of embossing members 1315 aand 1315 b each having a relatively small width may be spaced apart fromeach other at a predetermined distance or more. According to anembodiment, an optical clear adhesive (OCA) film may further be providedbetween the plurality of embossing members 1315 a and 1315 b.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are views illustrating an outer appearance of anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 14A, an electronic device 1400 may include a flexibledisplay 1401 and a receiver 1410.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 1400 may include theflexible display 1401 in various forms or shapes. For example, theflexible display 1401 may be bent in a U shape, and at least a portionof the flexible display 1401 which is bent on the top or bottom of theelectronic device 1400 from the front surface of the electronic device1400 may be disposed on the rear surface of the electronic device 1400.A home button 1411 may be displayed on the front surface of the flexibledisplay 1401, and a screen may be displayed on the rear portion 1420 ofthe flexible display 1401.

According to an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14A, a receiver 1410 may bedisposed in the front surface of the electronic device 1400, be disposedin the rear surface to implement the front surface as a full screen, orbe omitted to reduce the usage of holes from a design perspective.According to an embodiment, although FIG. 14A illustrates an example inwhich the flexible display 1401 expands upwards (thus producing, e.g.,an upper expanded portion 1412), the flexible display 1401 may beimplemented to expand downwards (thus producing, e.g., a lower expandedportion 1412) as shown in FIG. 14B. FIGS. 14A and 14B regard portraitmode operations of the electronic device 1400, and an applicationoperating in the portrait mode may be rotated 90 degrees to be displayedin the landscape mode by turning the electronic device 1400 by 90degrees. When biometric sensors (e.g., finger sensors), pressure (orforce) sensors, or other sensors capable of receiving the user's inputsfrom the outside are disposed in a particular position as shown in FIG.13, its structure may be complicated by the expansion or shrinkage ofthe flexible display. According to an embodiment, biometric sensors orpressure sensors may be attached over the entire flexible display or,when the flexible display shrinks, to be expanded up to a portion of thefront surface or curved surface of the flexible display to be movedalong with the flexible display. By so doing, although the flexibledisplay expands or shrinks, biometric or pressure recognition may beachieved in the same position or area 1430 and 1431. According to anembodiment, the size of the expansion 1413 may be determined dependingon the current state of the electronic device 1400 (e.g., thescreen-expanded or shrunken state, landscape mode or portrait mode, orrunning applications) and the characteristics (e.g., aspect ratio) ofthe application running on the expansion or portion 1412. For example,in a scenario case where the screen of the electronic device 1400expands to the right in the landscape mode, and a message receptionevent occurs to display a popup window while the user views a video, ifthe user takes an execution action to the message reception event, amessage window may be displayed overlaid on the video on the rightexpanded portion 1412 of the flexible display 1401. According to anembodiment, the video may be shrunken and displayed in the rest of thescreen except for the expanded portion 1412 to avoid importantinformation from being hidden by the overlay. According to anembodiment, the message window may be further expanded and displayedbeyond the expanded portion 1412 for additional display of severalfunctions (e.g., emoticons) associated with the message window.According to an embodiment, the message window may be shrunken anddisplayed in a size smaller than the expanded portion 1412 to displaythe state alone.

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating a side surface of an electronic devicewith a flexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 15, an electronic device 1500 may include a housingwith a curved surface and a flexible display 1510 disposed on the frontsurface and at least a portion of the rear surface of the electronicdevice 1500. For example, the flexible display 1510 may be configured toslide on the housing. According to an embodiment, as the flexibledisplay 1510 slides along a roller 1530 inside, e.g., a first housing1520, the display area visually exposed to the outside may be resized(e.g., shrunken or expanded).

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating an example of a configuration of asliding part of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 16, an electronic device 1600 may include a top slider1610, a bottom slider 1620, or a multi-bar hinge 1630. According to anembodiment, the display area of the flexible display may be expanded orshrunken as the top slider 1610 supporting the flexible display ismoved.

The top slider 1610 supporting the flexible display, the multi-bar hinge1630, or the bottom slider 1620 may be disposed under the flexibledisplay, and this structure may continuously support the flexibledisplay while sliding in or out.

FIG. 17A is a view illustrating an example of an electronic device witha flexible display vertically expanding, as viewed from above a sidethereof, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 17A, an electronic device 1700 may include a firsthousing 1701. The electronic device 1700 may be shown in a partialcross-sectional view as shown on the right side when taken along lineA-A′ when the electronic device 1700 shrinks or expands as a bracket(e.g., the first housing) 1740 and a main bracket (e.g., a secondhousing) 1714 slide over each other.

When viewed in the cross-section view taken along A-A′, the electronicdevice 1700 may include an upper flexible display window 1711, an upperdisplay panel 1712, the main bracket 1714 (e.g., the second housing), anupper supporting rail 1713, the bracket (e.g., the first housing) 1740,an upper guide slot 1723, an upper guide protrusion 1724, a lowerdisplay panel 1722, a lower flexible display window 1721, apiezoelectric element 1750, a rigid glass 1760, a lower guide slot 1771,a lower guide protrusion 1770, and a lower supporting rail 1780.

The upper flexible display window 1711 and the upper display panel 1712positioned at the top may be supported by the main bracket 1714, and themain bracket 1714 may be connected with an upper supporting rail fixingpart 1713 a to be slidable. The upper guide protrusion 1724 formed onthe upper supporting rail 1713 may rest on and couple with the upperguide slot 1723 inside the upper supporting rail fixing part 1713 a. Theupper supporting rail fixing part 1713 a may be affixed to, orintegrated with, the main bracket 1714.

The flexible display window 1721 and the lower display panel 1722 at thebottom may be supported by the lower supporting rail 1780, and the lowersupporting rail 1780 may be slid by a lower rail fixing part 1780 a. Thelower guide protrusion 1770 formed on the lower supporting rail 1780 mayrest on and couple with the lower guide slot 1771 inside the lower railfixing part 1780 a. The lower supporting rail fixing part 1780 a may beaffixed to, or integrated with, the bracket 1740.

According to an embodiment, when no receiver is included in theelectronic device 1700, the piezoelectric element 1750 may be directlyattached onto the rear glass (e.g., the rigid glass 1760) of theelectronic device and be spaced apart in a gap from other electric partsor structures.

The electronic device 1700 may be shown in a partial cross-sectionalview as shown on the right side when taken along line B-B′ such that theelectronic device 1700, the bracket (e.g., the first housing) 1740 doesnot overlap with the main bracket (e.g., the second housing) 1714 (e.g.,no slide between the first housing and the second housing). In the crosssection taken along line B-B′, the upper and lower supporting rails 1713and 1780, the lower display panel 1722, and the lower flexible displaywindow 1721 might not be shown, and the main bracket 1714 be structuredto surround and protect the upper flexible display window 1711 and theupper display panel 1712, and the rear window 1790 may be included.

A hardware mount, a rear bracket, and a rear window described below withreference to FIG. 76 may be configured inside the main bracket 1714.

FIG. 17B is a view illustrating an example of an electronic device witha flexible display vertically expanding, as viewed from above a sidethereof, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 17B, in the electronic device 1700, the main bracket1714 may be slidable on the bracket (e.g., the first housing) to reducethe side space of the electronic device 1700 and maximally expand theflexible display sideways. The cross section taken along line A-A′ ofthe electronic device 1700 is shown on the right side.

When viewed in the cross-section view taken along A-A′, the electronicdevice 1700 may include an upper flexible display window 1711, an upperdisplay panel 1712, the main bracket 1714 (e.g., the second housing), anupper supporting rail 1713, the bracket (e.g., the first housing) 1740,an upper guide slot 1723, an upper guide protrusion 1724, a lowerdisplay panel 1722, a lower flexible display window 1721, apiezoelectric element 1750, a rigid glass 1760, a lower guide slot 1771,a lower guide protrusion 1770, and a lower supporting rail 1780.

The upper flexible display window 1711 and the upper display panel 1712positioned at the top may be attached to the main bracket 1714, and themain bracket 1714 may be supported by the upper supporting rail 1713 tobe slidable on the bracket 1740. The upper guide protrusion 1724 formedon the upper supporting rail 1713 may rest on and couple with the upperguide slot 1723 inside the bracket 1740.

The flexible display window 1721 and the lower display panel 1722positioned at the bottom may be supported by the lower supporting rail1780 and be slid into the inside of the bracket 1740. A hardware mount,a rear bracket, and a rear window described below with reference to FIG.76 may be configured inside the main bracket 1714.

The piezoelectric element 1750 may be provided to replace the speaker toremove the speaker hole to deliver a better look and be directlyattached to the rigid glass 1760 while being spaced apart in apredetermined space from the other structures than the rigid glass 1760to secure a space for resonance. For example, when the piezoelectricelement 1750 is attached to the flexible window, which is thin, noisemay be created due to tiny vibrations, and the rigid glass 1760 andother adjacent structures may be too hard to make trembles and sounds byvibrations of the piezoelectric element 1750.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are views illustrating an outer appearance of a hingestructure of an electronic device with a flexible display according toan embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 18A and 18B, a main body 1801 of an electronic device1800 may include a structure to guide the movement of a flexible display1830. For example, the main body 1801 may include a second housing (or amain bracket) 1810, an upper rail 1890, a lower rail 1820, a flexibledisplay 1830 surrounding the main body 1801, a multi-hinge structure (ormulti-bar structure) 1840, a first housing (or a pocket) 1850, adielectric 1870, a roller 1860, or a lower glass 1880.

The upper rail 1890 in the electronic device 1800 is mounted under thesecond housing (or main bracket) on the front surface of the main body1801. The flexible display 1830 supported by the second housing 1810 mayslide in directions B and B′ (e.g., the lengthwise direction) along theupper rail 1890. The lower rail 1820 may be disposed on the rear surfaceof the main body 1801, and the flexible display 1830 may slide along thelower rail 1820 in the directions B and B′.

The main body 1801 may support the flexible display 1830 (e.g., thecurved part of the flexible display 1830) by the placement of at leastone multi-hinge structure 1840. For example, the at least onemulti-hinge structure 1840 may be arrayed perpendicular to, and adjacentto each other along, the moving direction of the flexible display 1830.

According to an embodiment, a guide protrusion may be formed at each ofboth sides of the at least one multi-hinge structure 1840. For example,a side of the array of at least one multi-hinge structure 1840 may beconnected to the second housing 1810.

According to an embodiment, the at least one multi-hinge structure 1840may be disposed corresponding to a portion (e.g., the first area) of theflexible display 1830 and be coupled to the inner surface of theflexible display 1830. For example, the at least one multi-hingestructure 1840 may be attached to the inner surface of the flexibledisplay 1830.

According to an embodiment, the flexible display 1830 may be receivedinside the main body 1801 on the rear surface side of the main body 1801and be moved to wrap around the roller 1860 to be positioned on thefront surface of the main body 1801.

According to an embodiment, the dielectric 1870 may be disposed in atleast a portion (e.g., between the first housing 1850 and the lower rail1820) of the first housing 1850. Whether the flexible display 1830 hasbeen moved or the position of the movement may be determined bydetecting the dielectric 1870 in the portion of the flexible display1830. According to an embodiment, the dielectric 1870 may be formed of amaterial having a different permittivity from its surrounding structures(e.g., the first housing 1850, the lower rail 1820, or at least onemulti-hinge structure 1840).

According to an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18B, as the flexibledisplay 1830 slides in the direction B′, the display area of the frontsurface visually exposed to the outside of the flexible display 1830 maybe shrunken. For example, at least a portion of the flexible display1830 which is positioned on the front surface may be retracted to therear surface corresponding to the distance of the movement of the atleast portion of the flexible display 1830 positioned on the frontsurface. At this time, the second housing (main bracket) 1810 may bepositioned under the upper rail 1890, receiving the retracted portion ofthe flexible display 1830.

According to an embodiment, when the flexible display 1830 is slid inthe direction B as shown in FIG. 18A, at least one multi-hinge structure1840 may be moved to the rear surface of the main body 1801, and theportion of the flexible display 1830 surrounding the at least onemulti-hinge structure 1840 may be moved to the front surface, allowingthe front display area of the flexible display 1830 to expand. At thistime, the second housing (main bracket) 1810 may be expanded upwards,and the multi-hinge structure 1840 may be positioned in thecorresponding space and be supported by the upper rail 1890.

The lower glass 1880 may be attached to a top portion of the firsthousing 1850 to fully or partially cover, and thus protect, the curvedpart of the flexible display 1830 and be processed to be opaque to fullyor partially hide the curved portion of the flexible display 1830.

FIG. 19 is a view illustrating an example of a configuration of adisplay driving circuit (e.g., a display driver integrated circuit(DDI)) of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 19, an electronic device 1900 may include a firsthousing 1901, a flexible display 1910, or a display driving circuit(e.g., a DDI) 1920 to control the display of the flexible display 1910.

According to an embodiment, the flexible display 1910 may at leastpartially be moved along the curved surface on the front surface of theelectronic device 1900 in the first housing 1901.

According to an embodiment, the DDI 1920 may be affixed to one end ofthe flexible display 1910. For example, as the flexible display 1910slides in the first housing 1901, the DDI 1920 affixed to the flexibledisplay 1910 may be moved along with the flexible display 1910 in thefirst housing 1901.

According to an embodiment, the DDI 1920 which is formed of, e.g.,ceramic, glass, or other fragile material, may be easily broken by themovement of the flexible display 1910. Thus, the DDI may include astructure to restrict the movement of the flexible display 1910 toprevent damage. For example, the structure may be configured to allowthe DDI 1920 to move from the rear surface of the electronic device 1900up to the inflection point of the curved surface.

FIG. 20 is a view illustrating an example of a configuration of adisplay driving circuit (e.g., a display driver integrated circuit(DDI)) of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 20, an electronic device 2000 may include a firsthousing 2001, a second housing 2030, an upper supporting rail 2240, aflexible display 2010, or a display driving circuit (e.g., a DDI) 2020to control the display of the flexible display 2010.

According to an embodiment, the DDI 2020 may be affixed to one end ofthe flexible display 2010. For example, as the flexible display 2010slides in the first housing 2001, the DDI 2020 attached to the flexibledisplay 2010 may be moved.

According to an embodiment, the flexible display 2010 may be configuredto have its sliding distance restricted. For example, as the flexibledisplay 2010 slides up to where it can, the DDI 2020 may be moved up tothe inflection point of the curved surface of the main body of theelectronic device 2000. According to an embodiment, the upper supportingrail 2040 may play a role to back up the second housing 2030 so that itdoes not sag when the second housing 2030 slides to expand along theupper supporting rail 2040.

FIG. 21 is a view illustrating an example of a configuration of anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 21, an electronic device 2100 may include a housing2101 or a flexible display 2110.

According to an embodiment, the flexible display 2101 may slide over thehousing 2101, and as the flexible display 2101 slides, its display areamay be resized on the front surface of the electronic device 2100.According to an embodiment, when the flexible display 2110 expands, theexpanded portion 2120 may be subject to image processing in variousways. As shown in FIG. 21, the first housing 2201 may be configured topartially cover the flexible display 2110 on the rear surface of theelectronic device 2100.

According to an embodiment, the flexible display 2110 may be slid leftor right along the curved surface of the main body while being supportedby the housing 2101. For example, as the flexible display 2110 moves, atleast a portion of the flexible display 2110 may be retracted into themain body of the housing 2101 or be expanded in the opposite direction.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an electronic device witha flexible display horizontally expanding, as viewed from above a sidethereof, according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 22, an electronicdevice 2200 may include a flexible display and a housing. The flexibledisplay may be retracted into the housing or be expanded from thehousing. The cross section taken along line A-A′ of the electronicdevice 2200 is shown on the right side.

When viewed in the cross-section view taken along A-A′, the electronicdevice 2200 may include an upper flexible display window, an upperdisplay panel, the main bracket 2202 (e.g., a second housing), an uppersupporting rail 2203, a bracket (e.g., a first housing) 2201, a lowerdisplay panel, a lower flexible display window, a piezoelectric element,a rigid glass, and a lower supporting rail 2204. According to anembodiment, the main bracket 2202 may protect the upper supporting rail2203 or the lower supporting rail 2204. The bracket 2201 may protect themain bracket 2202 and prevent the multi-hinge (or multi-bar) structurefrom being exposed.

The detailed structure of the housing shown in FIG. 22 is similar tothat of the electronic device in the portrait orientation as describedabove and, thus, no detailed description thereof is given below.

FIG. 23 is a side, cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration ofa display with a curved area according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 23, a flexible display 2303, a transparent window2302, a flexible window 2301 (e.g., a polyimide (PI) film), a secondhousing 2304, a rear window 2306, and a rear case 2308 may be providedin a top first area 2311 or at least one side surface of an electronicdevice 2300.

According to an embodiment, the transparent window 2302 may be disposedon the front surface of the flexible display 2303 to protect theflexible display 2303 and to reduce the bezel of the electronic deviceas described below and may include a curved portion 2321 bent, alongwith a portion of the flexible display 2303, in a first curvature fromone surface and at the outer edge of the transparent window 2302.

According to an embodiment, the flexible display 2303 may be disposedbetween a plane portion 2322 of the transparent window 2302 and the rearsurface of the curved portion 2321 while expanding up to the inner sideof the transparent window 2302.

According to an embodiment, the transparent window 2302, the flexiblewindow 2301, the second housing 2304, the rear window 2306, and the rearcase 2308 are included in a top second portion 2313 of the electronicdevice 2300, and at least one or more various parts (e.g., hardwarecomponents) provided in the electronic device 2300 may be disposed in aspace between the second housing 2304 and the rear case 2308. Forexample, various parts of the electronic device 2300 may include aflexible printed circuit board, a camera module 2307, a battery, and auniversal serial bus (USB) connector.

According to an embodiment, the flexible window 2301 may be soft and bethus deformed by, e.g., an external force (e.g., exerted when the usertouches or presses the screen with their finger). A support (e.g., thesecond housing 2304) is utilized to prevent such deformation. Since theflexible display 2303 may play an obstacle to receiving external light,such an optical electronic device as the camera module 2307 whichutilizes external light may be placed where the flexible display 2303has been punched or cut out in a U shape (e.g., the top second portion2313). In this case, the support (e.g., the second housing 2304) need tobe left out, and thus, the flexible window 2301 may be deformed by anexternal force. According to an embodiment, the transparent window 2302may be formed of rigid glass to prevent deformation by an external forceand be configured to cover the camera module 2307. When the transparentwindow 2302 has a first curvature, external light incident to the cameramodule 2307 may be subject to diffraction

$\left( {\frac{\sin\;\theta_{1}}{\sin\;\theta_{2}} = {\frac{v_{1}}{v_{2}} = {\frac{\lambda_{1}}{\lambda_{2}} = {{\frac{n_{2}}{n_{1}}\mspace{14mu}{or}\mspace{14mu} n_{1}\mspace{11mu}\sin\;\theta_{1}} = {n_{2}\mspace{14mu}\sin\;\theta_{2}}}}}} \right)$due to the first curvature, and since the camera module 2307 may betilted due to a deviation that may arise during assembly, it may beimpossible to predict a constant degree of diffraction for all products.Thus, the camera module 2307 may be placed on the plane portion 2322 ofthe transparent window 2302 which includes the plane portion 2322 andthe curved portion 2321 to prevent distortion due to the deviation thatarises when the camera module 2307.

According to an embodiment, the flexible display 2303 may expand in asecond curvature up to the curved portion 2321 of the transparent window2302 in the top first area 2311 or at least one side surface (e.g., athird area 2312). In this case, the expanded flexible display 2303 maybe seated inside the second housing 2304 or may be placed inside thesecond housing 2304 through a space 2314 created by removing a portionof the second housing 2304 to connect various parts (e.g., hardwarecomponents) inside the second housing 2304 via a connector. An externalforce (e.g., the user's touch or pressure on the screen with theirfinger) applied to the space 2314 may deform the flexible window 2301.To prevent such deformation, the transparent window 2302 may be disposedwith a space 2315 partially overlapping with the flexible window 2301 tocover at least the space 2314.

According to an embodiment, the transparent window 2302, which isdisposed in the space 2314 where a portion of the second housing hasbeen removed may be formed of rigid glass, plastic, or the same materialas the second housing 2304. To reduce screen distortions that may ariseas the flexible window 2301 and the transparent window 2302 havedifferent refractive indexes in the space 2315 where the flexible window2301 and the transparent window 2302 overlap with each other, an end ofthe transparent window 2302 where the flexible window 2301 and thetransparent window 2302 overlap with each other may form a predeterminedangle.

FIG. 24 is a side, cross-sectional view illustrating an antennaconfiguration of an electronic device with a flexible display accordingto an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 24, an electronic device 2400 mayinclude a housing 2401, a flexible display, or a hinge.

The edge of the flexible display at one side of the housing 2401 may becovered by a window 2403 or another member so as to be invisible.According to an embodiment, various parts may be mounted in the innerspace of the housing 2401 hidden by the window 2403. For example,according to an embodiment, structures related to an antenna may beplaced in the space.

According to an embodiment, first spaces 2414 and 2412 formed at bothsides in the housing 2401 and second spaces 2413 and 2415 formed in thecenter may have at least one part mounted inside. According to anembodiment, structures related to an antenna may be placed in thespaces. For example, the antenna may be mounted along with suchcomponents as a feeding (denoted with ‘F’ in FIG. 24) for applyingfrequency signals and a GND (denoted with ‘G’ in FIG. 24) to whichelectric current returns, and a switch (denoted with ‘S’ in FIG. 24)having multiple matching values to compensate for the length resultingfrom the display rolling.

As a specific example, the housing surrounding the first spaces may beutilized as a high-frequency antenna, and the coupling value may bevaried by mutual movement between the display (corresponding to adielectric) and the hinge (corresponding to a metal) where the flexibledisplay overlaps the hinge. Thus, a switching structure may be utilizedto vary the matching value in order to adjust the coupling value for theopen or closed state upon implementing an antenna in the first spaces.

A portion of the hinge 2402 in the housing 2401 may be connected to theGND (e.g., a system ground (GND)) or to the switch having multiplematching values to prevent an antenna coupling. For example, as the setof the display and the hinge which is metallic switches from closed toopen, the length of the housing may vary and, where the hinge matchesthe electrical length of the expanded antenna, the drainage of radiationthrough the hinge may be corrected with the matching values of theswitch.

FIG. 25 is a side, cross-sectional view illustrating an antennaconfiguration of an electronic device with a flexible display accordingto an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 25, when antenna-related structuresare configured in area C of the first housing 2501 as described above inconnection with FIG. 24, the flexible display 2510 attached to thesecond housing 2502 may slide to expand from the housing 2501 asindicated with 2520, with the result of a variation in the radiationperformance of the antenna. As the flexible display 2510 slides, theabove-described upper rail and lower rail may be moved alongside,causing a variation in the area of the metal bracket.

FIGS. 26 and 27 are side, cross-sectional views illustrating an antennaconfiguration of an electronic device with a flexible display accordingto an embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 26 and 27, when the housing of anelectronic device 2600 or 2700 is used as an antenna (e.g., ahigh-frequency band antenna), a separator 2620 or 2720 may be formed inat least a portion of the housing. According to an embodiment, theseparator 2620 or 2720 may be formed to electrically separate metallicpieces using a material that is non-metallic or has a high permittivityor by extrusion.

According to an embodiment, a bracket 2630 or 2730 (e.g., the firsthousing 2501 of FIG. 25) may be configured not to overlap with theseparator 2620 as shown in FIG. 26 or, if it overlaps as shown in FIG.27, the separator 2720 of the housing may be configured to be alignedwith the separator 2731 of the bracket 2730. The structures shown inFIGS. 26 and 27 may prevent such an occasion that the internal bracket2630 or 2730 and housing used as an antenna happen to have differentelectrical lengths in some circumstances thus failing to deliver aconstant performance.

According to an embodiment, since the antenna efficiency may be loweredby current leakage through the bracket 2630 or 2730, the housing and thebracket metallic piece are separated in the same position to prevent thehinge from blocking radiation at the separator where radiation primarilyoccurs. The separator 2620 or 2731 may be formed to electricallyseparate metallic pieces using a material that is non-metallic or has ahigh permittivity or by extrusion.

As described above, the DDI 2610 or 2710 may be affixed to the flexibledisplay and be moved along with the flexible display. As shown, theremay be provided to restrict the movement of the flexible display toprevent damage to the DDI 2610 or 2710 by the movement of the flexibledisplay. For example, the structure may be configured to allow the DDI2610 or 2710 to move from the rear surface of the electronic device 2600up to the inflection point of the curved surface.

FIG. 28 is a graph illustrating radiation efficiencies by an antennaseparation structure in an electronic device with a flexible displayaccording to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 28, when the electronicdevice lacks a separator as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, a performancelowering of 6 dB to 8 dB may occur, and when there are unalignedseparators, a performance lowering of 3 dB to 4 dB may result.Conversely, the formation of separators aligned with each other mayreduce the performance lowering down to about 1 dB to about 2 dB ascompared with when they are opened.

It can be shown from FIG. 28 that separation and non-separation resultin differences in performance in a particular frequency band (e.g., a 2GHz or more high-frequency band).

FIG. 29 is a view illustrating an example of a screen configurationdisplayed on an electronic device with a flexible display according toan embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 29, an electronic device may display a screen 2910 ofa running first application through a display 2901. For example, theelectronic device may display the first application screen 2910 tocorrespond to the size of the exposed front area of the flexible display2901. According to an embodiment, although the screen resolution of thefirst application may be assumed to be fixed, embodiments of thedisclosure are not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, as the flexible display 2901 of theelectronic device 2900 slides to expand, the rear surface portion of theflexible display 2901 may be pulled out to the front surface.

According to an embodiment, as a sliding part moves to a first lengthL1, the rear surface portion 2920 of the flexible display 2901 may bepulled out by the first length to the front surface. For example, theelectronic device may identify the screen area corresponding to the rearsurface portion, which has been moved to the front surface, of theexecution screen of the first application.

According to an embodiment, when the first application is set to displaythe execution screen at a designated resolution, the electronic devicemay apply an image effect (e.g., gradation) to the added screen areacorresponding to the portion 2920 of the first length L1 and display theresult on at least part (e.g., top or bottom) of the exposed frontsurface. According to an embodiment, the image effect may includeadjusting the color variation value of the mask layer for the addedportion 2920. For example, the user may identify the expansion ofdisplay through the image effect-applied screen area.

According to an embodiment, as the sliding part moves to a second lengthL2, the rear surface portion of the flexible display 2901 may be pulledout by the second length to the front surface. For example, theelectronic device may identify a screen to be displayed on the portionof the second length.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may display content2921 (e.g., an advertisement image) or an image effect related to thefirst application on the flexible display 2901 expanded to the secondlength. For example, the electronic device 2900 may display thedesignated content at the top of the flexible display 2901 expanded tothe second length, the image effect-applied result at the bottom, andthe first application screen 2910 between the designated content and theimage effect-applied result.

According to an embodiment, as the sliding part moves to a third lengthL3, the rear surface portion of the flexible display 2901 may be pulledout by the third length to the front surface. For example, theelectronic device may identify the screen area corresponding to the rearsurface portion, which has been moved to the front surface, of theexecution screen of the first application and the added content.

According to an embodiment, when the first application is set to displaythe execution screen at a designated resolution, the electronic devicemay apply an image effect (e.g., gradation) to the added screen areacorresponding to the portion 2930 by the expansion from the secondlength L2 to the third length L3 and display the result on at least part(e.g., top or bottom) of the exposed front surface. According to anembodiment, the image effect may include adjusting the color variationvalue of the mask layer for the added portion 2930. For example, theuser may identify the expansion of display through the imageeffect-applied screen area.

According to an embodiment, as the sliding part moves to a fourth lengthL4, the rear surface portion of the flexible display 2901 may be pulledout by the fourth length to the front surface. For example, theelectronic device may identify a screen to be displayed on the portionof the fourth length.

According to an embodiment, when the designated content 2921 may bedisplayed at a varied resolution, the electronic device may change theresolution or screen configuration of the content corresponding to thesize of a portion of the area of the fourth length and display thevaried content 2922 at the top of the flexible display 2901. The firstapplication screen 2910 may be displayed underneath the content.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may determine whetherthe execution screen of a running application may be displayed at avaried resolution when the flexible display expands and controldisplaying various contents on the expanded area.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart 3000 illustrating an example of displaying ascreen on an electronic device with a flexible display according to anembodiment.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device may include a flexibledisplay mounted from its front surface to the rear surface along thecurved surface. At least a portion of the display area of the flexibledisplay mounted on the rear surface may be moved to the front surface asa sliding part disposed on the rear surface is moved.

Referring to FIG. 30, in operation 3010, the electronic device (e.g.,the electronic device 101 of FIG. 1 or the electronic device 301 of FIG.3) (e.g., the processor 120 or 310 of the electronic device) may detecta signal from a hall sensor. The electronic device may include the hallsensor (e.g., the hall sensor may be mounted on a printed circuit board(PCB) inside the electronic device). The electronic device may determinea repositioning of the second housing from a signal sensed by the hallsensor and determine, e.g., the position or movement of the flexibledisplay based on the repositioning of the second housing.

In operation 3020, the electronic device may set a touch sensingfunction. For example, when the touch sensing function is inactive, theelectronic device may activate the touch sensing function, and when thetouch sensing function is active and a touch input received isidentified within a designated time, the electronic device may disregardthe received touch input.

In operation 3030, the electronic device may identify whetherrecognition of coordinates of a touch is varied. For example, theelectronic device may determine that the recognition of the coordinatesof a touch is varied as the touch sensor is moved by the movement of thesliding part.

When the recognition of the coordinates of a touch is varied as a resultof operation 3030, the electronic device may repetitively performoperation 3030. When the recognition of the coordinates of a touch isdetermined in operation 3030 to be varied, the electronic device mayupdate the partial area based on the varied expansion point in operation3040.

In operation 3050, the electronic device may determine whether the areaof the flexible display expands or shrinks within a designated range.

When the area of the flexible display is determined in operation 3050 tobe expanded or shrunken within the designated range, the electronicdevice may perform operation 3040. When the area of the flexible displayreaches a predetermined threshold as a result of operation 3050, theelectronic device may reset the touch sensing function in operation3060. For example, when the touch sensing function is active and a touchinput received is identified within a designated time, the electronicdevice may disregard the received touch input.

FIG. 31 is a view illustrating an example of a screen configurationdisplayed on an electronic device with a flexible display according toan embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 31, an electronic device 3100 may display a screen3110 of a first application being executed through a flexible display.For example, the electronic device 3100 may display the firstapplication screen 3110 to correspond to the size of the exposed frontarea of the flexible display.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 3100 may include asliding part that may slide-move to allow a rear surface portion of theflexible display to move out to the front surface.

According to an embodiment, as a sliding part moves to a first lengthL1, the rear surface portion (e.g., corresponding to the area 3120) ofthe flexible display may be pulled out by the first length to the frontsurface. For example, the electronic device 3100 may identify the screenarea corresponding to the rear surface portion, which has been moved tothe front surface, of the execution screen of the first application.

According to an embodiment, when the first application is set to displaya screen at various resolutions, the electronic device 3100 may identifya screen to be displayed on a screen area corresponding to the portion(e.g., corresponding to the area 3120) of the first length in relationto the first application. For example, the electronic device 3100 mayreceive a screen of the first application corresponding to the full sizeof the flexible display upon executing the first application or send arequest for, and receive, a partial screen of the first applicationcorresponding to the length to which it has been moved by the movementof the sliding part.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 3100 may apply adesignated screen display effect to the image displayed on the area 3120of the first length. For example, the electronic device 3100 may performa screen display effect process on a bottom portion of the area 3120 ofthe first length.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 3100 may calculate acolor variation value (e.g., a value set to apply a gradation effect)designated for the screen data corresponding to the area 3120 of thefirst length among pieces of screen data of the first application andapply the calculated color variation value to the area 3120 of the firstlength.

According to an embodiment, as a sliding part moves to a second lengthL2, the rear surface portion 3130 of the flexible display may be pulledout by the second length to the front surface. For example, theelectronic device 3100 may identify the screen data corresponding to thearea 3130 of the second length except for the area 3120 of the firstlength among all the pieces of screen data of the first application.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 3100 may calculate acolor variation value (e.g., a value set to apply a gradation effect)designated for the screen data corresponding to the area 3130 of thesecond length and apply the calculated color variation value to the area3130 of the second length.

According to an embodiment, as the flexible display slides out to thesecond length, the electronic device 3100 may display the designatedcolor variation value-applied screen data on the area 3120 of the firstlength and the area 3130 of the second length continuously next to thefirst application screen displayed before the shift of the flexibledisplay.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating an example of displaying a screen onan electronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device may include a flexibledisplay expanding from its front surface to the rear surface along thecurved surface. At least a portion of the display area of the flexibledisplay expanding to the rear surface may be moved to the front surfaceas the flexible display slides out.

Referring to FIG. 32, in operation 3210, the electronic device (e.g.,the electronic device 101 of FIG. 1 or the electronic device 301 of FIG.3) (e.g., the processor 120 or 310 of the electronic device) may displaya screen of a running application. For example, the electronic devicemay set and display the screen to correspond to the size of the portionof the flexible display which has been moved to the front surface.

In operation 3230, the electronic device may identify whetherrecognition of coordinates of a touch is varied. For example, as theflexible display sliding out, a dielectric affixed to the housing of theelectronic device may sense the flexible display, determining that thereference for the coordinates of a touch has been changed.

When the recognition of the coordinates of a touch is determined inoperation 3230 not to be varied, the electronic device may repetitivelyperform operation 3230. When the recognition of the coordinates of atouch is determined in operation 3230 to be varied, the electronicdevice may update the color, effect, or function of the partial areabased on the varied expansion point in operation 3240. For example, theelectronic device may identify the area from the expansion point beforethe shift of the flexible display to the varied expansion point as thepartial area of the entire area of the flexible display.

In operation 3250, the electronic device may determine whether the areaof the flexible display expands or shrinks corresponding to a designatedthreshold. When the area of the flexible display expands or shrinkscorresponding to the designated threshold as a result of operation 3250,the electronic device may reset the touch sensing function in operation3260. For example, when the touch sensing function is active and a touchinput received is identified within a designated time, the electronicdevice may disregard the received touch input. In operation 3270, theelectronic device may set and display the screen of the applicationbased on the expanded or shrunken screen size of the flexible display.

For example, according to an embodiment, the electronic device may setand display the screen of the application based on the expanded orshrunken display size in operation 3260. When the area of the flexibledisplay expands corresponding to the designated threshold, the portioncorresponding to the expanded display size of the entire executionscreen of the application may further be displayed on the expandedflexible display area. When the flexible display shrinks correspondingto the designated, the electronic device may apply an image effect(e.g., darkening) to the portion corresponding to the shrunken displaysize of the execution screen of the application and display the same.

FIG. 33 is a view illustrating an example of a screen configurationdisplayed on an electronic device with a flexible display according toan embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 33, an electronic device 3300 may display a screen3310 of a first application being executed through a flexible display3301. For example, the electronic device 301 may display the firstapplication screen 3310 at a designated resolution or aspect ratio(horizontal-to-vertical ratio) (e.g., 18.5:9) to correspond to theexposed front surface area of the screen of the flexible display 3301.

According to an embodiment, as the flexible display 3301 of theelectronic device 3300 slides out, a portion of the rear surface area ofthe flexible display 3301 may be pulled out to the front surface. Forexample, the electronic device 3300 may display the first applicationscreen 3310 in various manners depending on the size of the portionpulled out to the front surface.

According to an embodiment, as the flexible display 3301 moves to afirst length L1, the rear surface portion 3320 of the flexible display3301 may be pulled out by the first length to the front surface. Forexample, when the size (e.g., the aspect ratio or size in which a changein resolution is utilized) of the exposed display area on the frontsurface including the area of the first length is less than a designatedsize, the electronic device 3300 may identify display settings for thearea of the first length. The display settings may include a setting forapplying a designated image effect or displaying buttons 3330 to performdesignated functions, a setting for displaying text or setting colorvalues, or any other various settings to display the screen, e.g.,applying a bounce-back effect. According to an embodiment, theelectronic device may give a gradation effect by adjusting the brandingvalue of the masking layer on the expanded area of the first length.According to an embodiment, the electronic device may implement theeffect by fixing the window size of the masking layer and updating thebranding start point to be equal to the area of exposure correspondingto the area of the first length. According to an embodiment, as theflexible display 3301 slides out to the second length L2, the rearsurface area of the flexible display 3301 may be pulled out to the frontsurface by the second length. For example, when the exposed display areaon the front surface including the area of the second length reaches adesignated size (e.g., the aspect ratio or size in which a change inresolution is utilized), the electronic device 3300 may change theaspect ratio or resolution of the first application (e.g., changes theaspect ratio from 18.5:9 to 21:9) and display the screen 3304 as per theaspect ratio change or resolution change. For example, when the flexibledisplay 3301 slides to expand up to a degree of resolution or aspectratio supported by the electronic device (or firmware installed on theelectronic device), the electronic device may update the data to bedisplayed and then gradually remove the branding value of the maskinglayer. For example, the electronic device may implement the expandedarea in various manners (e.g., colors, effects, or functions) whilemaintaining the current aspect ratio or resolution until it reaches anaspect ratio or resolution that the electronic device or firmwaresupports.

FIG. 34 is a view illustrating various examples of expansion of aflexible display of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 34, an electronic device 3400 may include a firsthousing 3420, a second housing 3401, or a flexible display 3410. Atleast part of the second housing 3401 may overlap with the first housing3420 and be slide-engaged with the first housing 3420. The flexibledisplay 3410 may at least partially be attached to the second housing3401. As the first housing 3420 and the second housing 3401 slide overeach other to shrink, at least part of the flexible display 3410 may beretracted inside the first housing 3420.

According to an embodiment, as the first housing 3410 and the secondhousing 3401 slide over each other, a first surface of the flexibledisplay 3410 which is exposed in a first direction (towards the frontsurface) may be resized.

According to an embodiment, the first housing 3420 may be disposed overthe second housing 3401, and when the second housing 3401 is pulleddown, the flexible display 3410 affixed to the second housing 3401 maybe expanded downwards.

According to an embodiment, the flexible display 3410 may slide on themain body inside the first housing 3420 while being supported by thefirst housing 3420. By the movement, at least part of the flexibledisplay 3410 may be retracted inside the first housing 3420 or beexpanded out from the rear surface of the electronic device 3400 to theoutside of the first housing 3420.

According to an embodiment, the first housing 3420 may include atransparent window in at least part thereof. The rear display area ofthe flexible display 3410 hidden inside the first housing 3420 may beexposed through the transparent window. For example, as the flexibledisplay 3410 slides out along the curved surface, a portion of the reardisplay area may be pulled out from the first housing 3420, and the restmay be exposed through the transparent window.

FIG. 35 is a view illustrating an example of a screen configurationdisplayed on an electronic device with a flexible display according toan embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 35, an electronic device 3500 may include a homescreen 3510 including the respective icons of a plurality ofapplications through a flexible display 3501. For example, theelectronic device 3500 may configure and display the home screen 3510 tocorrespond to the size of the exposed front area of the flexible display3501.

According to an embodiment, as the flexible display 3501 of theelectronic device 3500 slides out, a portion of the rear surface area ofthe flexible display 3501 may be pulled out to the front surface. Forexample, the electronic device 3500 may display the first applicationscreen 3510 in various manners depending on the size of the portionpulled out to the front surface.

According to an embodiment, as the flexible display 3501 moves to afirst length L1, the rear surface portion 3520 of the flexible display3501 may be pulled out by the first length to the front surface. Forexample, when the size of the exposed display area on the front surfaceincluding the area of the first length is less than a designated size,the electronic device 3300 may identify display settings for the area ofthe first length. The display settings may include a setting forapplying a designated image effect or displaying buttons 3530 to performdesignated functions, a setting for displaying text or setting colorvalues, or any other various settings to display the screen, e.g.,applying a bounce-back effect.

According to an embodiment, as the flexible display 3501 moves to asecond length L2, the rear surface portion of the flexible display 3501may be pulled out by the second length to the front surface. Forexample, when the front exposed display area including the area of thesecond length reaches a designated size, the electronic device 3500 mayidentify the screen data 3530 corresponding to the area of the secondlength of the full screen data of the first application.

According to an embodiment, as the sliding part slides out to the secondlength, the electronic device 3500 may display the identified screendata corresponding to the area of the second length continuously next tothe first application screen displayed before the movement of thesliding part.

According to an embodiment, referring to FIG. 35, when the flexibledisplay expands to a length of L1 with the first application screen 3510displayed, the expanded area may not be enough to display icons. Thus,text may be instead displayed on the expanded area. According to anembodiment, as further expanding from length L1 to length L2, the screenmay present a space enough to display icons and may thus add and displaynew icons on the expanded area.

FIG. 36 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configurationrelated to driving a display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 36, a display device may include a processor 3601(e.g., an application processor, a communication processor, or a sensorhub), a display driving circuit 3600 (e.g., a DDI), and a display panel3602 a.

The processor 3601 may generate display data according to an embodimentand provide the generated display data to the display driving circuit3600. For example, the processor 3601 may encode or compress the displaydata in a designated scheme and provide the encoded or compressed datato the display driving circuit 3600. The processor 3601 may transitionto a sleep state according to, e.g., a preset schedule or correspondingto the user's manipulation. While the processor 3601 is in the sleepstate, the display driving circuit 3600 may output at least partialdisplay data stored in the memory to the display panel 3602 a as per adesignated operation scheme.

The processor 3601 may include a central processing unit (CPU)/graphicsprocessing unit (GPU) 3601 a, a display controller 3601 b, a compressionencoder 3601 c, or an internal transmission interface 3601 d (e.g.,mobile industry processor interface (MIPI) Tx).

The CPU/GPU 3601 a may perform computation processing on data to beoutput to the display 3602 a corresponding to a user input or scheduledinformation. The CPU/GPU 3601 a may transfer the processed data to thedisplay controller 3601 b.

The display controller 3601 b may generate data to be transferred to thedisplay driving circuit 3600 based on the data received from the CPU/GPU3601 a.

The compression encoder 3601 c may encode the display data generated bythe display controller 3601 b in a designated scheme (e.g., videoelectronics standards association (VESA) display stream compression(DSC)). Thus, the display data generated by the display controller 3601b may be compressed into a smaller data size. For example, the displaydata generated by the display controller 3601 b may be encoded andshrunken to 1/n by the compression encoder 3601 c. According to anembodiment, the compression encoder 3601 c may be omitted. In otherwords, the display data may be transferred to the display drivingcircuit 3600 without undergoing a compression process.

The internal transmission interface 3601 d may transfer the display dataencoded by the compression encoder 3601 c to the display driving circuit3600. The internal transmission interface 3601 d may include, e.g., amobile industry processor interface (MIPI).

The display driving circuit 3600 may calculate and apply the colorvariation value of the display data according to the settings and outputthe result to the display panel 3602 a. For example, upon receiving thedisplay data from the processor 310, the display driving circuit 3600may calculate a color variation value to be applied to the display databased on the position where the display data is to be output, apply thecalculated color variation value to the display data, and output theresult to the display 3602 a.

The display driving circuit 3600 may include an internal receptioninterface 3611 (e.g., MIPI Rx), a serial peripheral interface(SPI)/inter-integrated circuit (I2C) interface 3612, an interfacecontroller 3620, a command controller 3630, a memory controller 3640, amemory 3650 (e.g., a graphics random access memory (GRAM)), acompression decoder 3660 (e.g., a compression decoder), an up-scaler3670, an image pre-processor 3680, a mask processor 3685, and a displaytiming controller 3690. Although not shown, according to an embodiment,the display driving circuit 3600 may further include an oscillator, aframe number (or frame frequency) adjusting module, and a pixel powerapplying module.

The internal reception interface 3611 may communicate with the processor310 to receive control information and display data from the processor310. The internal reception interface 3611 may include, e.g., an MIPIreceiving circuit. Upon receiving the control information and displaydata through the MIPI transmission circuit of the processor 310, theinternal reception interface 3611 may transfer the control informationand display data to the interface controller 3620.

The interface controller 3620 may receive display data and/or controlinformation from the processor 310. The interface controller 3620 maytransfer the received display data to the memory controller 3640. Theinterface controller 3620 may transfer the received control informationto the command controller 3630.

The memory controller 3640 may record the display data received from theinterface controller 3620 into the memory 3650. For example, the memorycontroller 3640 may record the display data into the memory 3650according to the frame rate of the display data received from theprocessor 310.

The memory 3650 may include a graphics RAM (GRAM). The memory 3650 maystore the display data received from the memory controller 3640. Thestored display data may include display data compressed by the processor310 or non-compressed display data. The memory 3650 may include a memoryspace corresponding to the resolution and/or the number of colorgradations of the display panel 3602 a. The memory 3650 may include aframe buffer or a line buffer. The memory 3650 may have a differentupdate count or speed depending on the type of an image output to thedisplay panel 3602 a. For example, upon playing a video, the memory 3650may record display data corresponding to the frames of the video at adesignated speed. For still images, the memory 3650 may store theprevious still image until an image update occurs. The display datastored in the memory 3650 may include coordinates for display on eachdisplay area of the display 160. The order of display data maycorrespond to the coordinates for display on the display 160.

The command controller 3630 may control the display timing controller3690 to apply the color variation value corresponding to each piece ofdisplay data stored in the memory 3650 to be output on a designated areaof the display panel 3602 a. The command controller 3630 may be referredto as control logic.

When at least part of display data read out of the memory 3650 has beenencoded, the compression decoder 3660 may decode the at least part in adesignated scheme and transfer the display data to the display timingcontroller 3690. For example, when the display data has been compressedto the size of 1/n by the compression encoder 3601 c, the compressiondecoder 3660 may decompress the at least partial display data back intothe display data before compression.

The up-scaler 3670 and/or image pre-processor 3680 may be disposedbetween the compression decoder 3660 and the display timing controller3690. According to an embodiment, when at least partial display dataselected by the command controller 3630 has not been encoded, thecompression decoder 3660 may be omitted or bypassed.

The up-scaler 3670 may up-scale the decompressed image to a designatedmagnification. According to an embodiment, the up-scaler 3670 maymagnify display data when the display data needs to be magnifieddepending on the size of display data to be output to the display panel3602 a or user settings. The display data magnified by the up-scaler3670 may be transferred to the display timing controller 3690. When atleast part of the display data does not need to be magnified, theup-scaler 3670 may be omitted or bypassed.

The image pre-processor 3680 may enhance the quality of display data.The image pre-processor 3680 may include, e.g., a pixel data processingcircuit, a pre-processing circuit, and a gating circuit.

The mask processor 3685 may perform processing on the margin area 161and boundary area 162 of the display 160. For example, the maskprocessor 3685 may calculate a color variation value (e.g., a value setto display the screen in black) to be applied to the display device tobe output to the margin area 161 and apply the calculated colorvariation value to the margin area 161. The mask processor 3685 mayprovide the calculated color variation value to the display timingcontroller 3690 so that the display timing controller 3690 may apply thecolor variation value to the display data.

According to an embodiment, the margin area 161 may be configured tooutput designated display data (e.g., data set to output a blackscreen). In this case, the mask processor 3685 may calculate a colorvariation value (e.g., the maximum alpha blending value) set to outputthe original color screen of display data to be output to the marginarea 161 and apply the color variation value to the display data. Whenthe maximum alpha blending value is set, the color indicated by thedisplay data may be reproduced as the original color without deformationor distortion.

The mask processor 3685 may calculate and apply a color variation valuefor the boundary area 162. In relation, the mask processor 3685 mayobtain information about the center point of the boundary area 162. Thisis described in connection with FIG. 2. The mask processor 3685 mayobtain the information about the center point of the boundary area 162and calculate information about the distance between the center pointand positions where the pieces of display data are to be displayed. Themask processor 3685 may calculate a designated color variation valuedepending on the distance information. For example, the mask processor3685 may calculate distances from the center point for the pieces ofdisplay data using Equation 1.(x−a)²+(y−b)² =D  [Equation 1]

Here, x and y are the coordinates of the origin of the circle, and a andb may include two-dimensional coordinates at which the display data isto be output. D may include the distance between the center point andthe display data. The mask processor 3685 may allocate a designatedcolor variation value according to D. Accordingly, the mask processor3685 may calculate color variation values for the pieces of displaydevice for all the pixels of the display 160. In relation to allocatingthe color variation value, the mask processor 3685 may include acomputation device or operator capable of processing the designatedequation. For example, the mask processor 3685 may include a computationdevice or operator configured to calculate the color variation value insuch a manner that the color variation value decreases as the distancedecreases (or the value set to display a color close to the originaldisplay data color−maximum alpha blending value), and the colorvariation value increases as the distance increases (or the value set todisplay a color designated by distorting the original display datacolor−minimum alpha blending value). The computation device of the maskprocessor 3685 may be configured to process integer computation. Inrelation, the mask processor 3685 may delete out the digits to the rightof the decimal point and process the calculation of color variationvalue with the digits to the left of the decimal point.

According to an embodiment, the mask processor 3685 may calculate andapply a color variation value using Equation 2 below.D1<(x−a)²+(y−b)² <D2  [Equation 2]

Here, x and y are the coordinates of the origin of the circle, and a andb may include two-dimensional coordinates at which the display data isto be output. D1 may mean a designated first distance from the centerpoint, and D2 may mean a designated second distance from the centerpoint. D2 may be larger than D1. The mask processor 3685 may calculate aper-distance color variation value for the display data in a range fromthe designated first distance to the designated second distance usingEquation 2. For example, the mask processor 3685 may apply a relativelysmall color variation value (e.g., a value set to present a smallercolor distortion for display data positioned close to the curved area163) to display data close to the first distance. The mask processor3685 may apply a relatively large color variation value (e.g., a valueset to present a larger color distortion for display data positionedclose to the margin area 161) to display data close to the seconddistance. The mask processor 3685 may apply a designated color variationvalue (e.g., a value set to represent the original display data color)to display data positioned within the first distance or display datapositioned out of the second distance. Although the mask processor 3685is disposed between the image pre-processor 3680 and the display timingcontroller 3690, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto.For example, the mask processor 3685 may be disposed between thecompression decoder 3660, the up-scaler 3670, and the imagepre-processor 3680.

The display timing controller 3690 may control the timing of thecomponents of the display driving circuit 3600. For example, the displaytiming controller 3690 may adjust the timing of storing display datareceived from the processor 310 in the memory 3650 and the timing ofreading the display data stored in the memory 3650 not to overlap witheach other. The display timing controller 3690 may control the timingsof reading the display data stored in the memory 3650 at a designatedframe rate and transferring the display data to the compression decoder3660 and the up-scaler 3670 under the control of the command controller3630.

The display timing controller 3690 may transfer display data receivedfrom the image pre-processor 3680 to a source driver 2602 b under thecontrol of the command controller 3630 and control a gate driver 3602 cto output gate signals. According to an embodiment, the display timingcontroller 3690 may be included in the command controller 3630. Thedisplay timing controller 3690 may convert display data received fromthe memory 3650 through the compression decoder 3660, the up-scaler3670, and/or the image pre-processor 3680 into image signals andtransfer the image signals to the source driver 3602 b and the gatedriver 3602 c of the display panel 3602 a. When the mask processor 3685is configured to calculate a color variation value, the display timingcontroller 3690 may apply the color variation value received from themask processor 3685 to the display data. For example, the display timingcontroller 3690 may apply the color variation value calculated by thedistance between the center point and a particular pixel to the displaydata which is to be output at the pixel and output the same to thedisplay 160.

The display 160 may include the source driver 3602 b, the gate driver3602 c, and the display panel 3602 a. The display 160 may furtherinclude a touch panel and touch IC, a pressure sensor and pressuresensor IC, and a digitizer related to the user's entry.

The display panel 3602 a may display various types of information (e.g.,multimedia data or text data) to the user. The display panel 3602 a mayinclude, e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel or an activematrix-organic light emitting device (AM-OLED) panel. The display panel3602 a may be implemented to be flexible, transparent, or wearable. Thedisplay panel 3602 a may be included in the cover of a case electricallycoupled with the electronic device 101.

The display panel 3602 a may receive image signals corresponding todisplay data from the display driving circuit 3600 and display a screenaccording to the display data. The display panel 3602 a may include aplurality of data lines and a plurality of gate lines crossing theplurality of data lines. A plurality of pixels may be arranged at theintersections of the data lines and the gate lines. When the displaypanel 3602 a is an OLED panel, each pixel may include at least one ormore switching elements (e.g., field effect transistors (TFTs) and oneOLED. Each pixel may receive, e.g., an image signal from the displaydriving circuit 3600 at a predetermined timing, emitting light. Thedisplay panel 3602 a may have a resolution of, e.g., wide quad highdefinition (WQHD) (1440×2560).

The source driver 3602 b and the gate driver 3602 c may generate signalsfor supply to scan lines (not shown) and data lines (not shown) of thedisplay panel 3602 a based on source control signals and gate controlsignals received from the display timing controller 3690. The displaydriving circuit 3600 may include the internal reception interface 3611,the interface controller 3620, the command controller 3630, the memorycontroller 3640, the memory 3650, the compression decoder 3660, theup-scaler 3670, the image pre-processor 3680, the mask processor 3685,an auxiliary memory 3696, and the display timing controller 3690.

The auxiliary memory 3696 may store a color variation value (e.g., analpha blending value or masking image) for application to a curvedboundary area. The masking image may include an image including colorvariation values for application to at least one area of, e.g., thecurved area, boundary area, and the margin area. The auxiliary memory3696 may store various color variation values depending on the shape ofthe curved area (e.g., a curved display area 3930) of the display device160. For example, when a boundary area and a curved display area areincluded as described below in connection with FIG. 39, a colorvariation value for the boundary area and a color variation value forthe curved display area may be stored.

The mask processor 3685 may obtain the color variation values from theauxiliary memory 3696. The mask processor 3685 may apply the colorvariation value to display data received from the image pre-processor3680 and transfer the color variation value-applied display data to thedisplay timing controller 3690. When the mask processor 3685 is disposedahead of the image pre-processor 3680, the mask processor 3685 may readthe color variation value out of the auxiliary memory 3696 and apply thecolor variation value to the scaled display data received from theup-scaler 3670.

Although the mask processor 3685 is shown as independent from thedisplay timing controller 3690, embodiments of the disclosure are notlimited thereto. For example, the mask processor 3685 may be included inthe display timing controller 3690. Alternatively, the display timingcontroller 3690 may replace the mask processor 3685 in light offunctionality. When replaced by the display timing controller 3690, themask processor 3685 may be omitted.

According to an embodiment, the display driving circuit 3600 may storecolor variation values for application to the curved area in the memory3650. In this case, the auxiliary memory 3696 (e.g., a line buffer) maybe omitted from the display driving circuit 3600, and the mask processor3685 may be configured to access the memory 3650.

FIG. 37 is a view illustrating an example of a display device accordingto an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 37, a display device may include adata driver 3710, an emission driver 3720, a controller 3711, a scandriver 3712, and a display unit 3713.

The data driver 3710 outputs data DL1 to DLm to determine the gray scaleof the pixel. The controller 3711 may control the overall operation ofthe display device. The scan driver 3712 determines the positions ofpixels in each row where data received from the data driver 3710 is tobe displayed. The emission driver 3720 applies power to each pixel PX inthe determined position. The scan driver 3712 and the emission driver3720, respectively, may apply scan control signals SL1 to SLN andemission control signals EM1 to EMN, which are control signals (e.g.,gate control signals) corresponding to the pixels PX in each row. Thescan driver 3712 may apply gate control signals SL1 to SLN to controlsignal lines corresponding to the pixels PX in each row.

The light emitting device of each pixel PX may include a light emittingdiode. In the instant embodiment, the light emitting diode is an OLEDfor illustration purposes. However, other various types of lightemitting devices, elements, or diodes may be adopted without beinglimited to OLEDs.

The display unit 3713 includes a plurality of pixels PX. The pixels PXare arrayed in a matrix of N rows and M columns (when N and M arepositive integers). The data driver 3710 or the scan driver 3712 maycontrol each pixel PX.

Each SSTG of the scan driver 3712 may receive CLK1, CLK2, and FLM andoutput Scan out corresponding to each pixel as shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 CLK1 CLK2 FLM Scan out 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 X 1 X 0

Table 1 above represents an example operation for the scan driver 3712.The scan driver 3712 may have a flip-flop structure and sequentiallytransfer scan control signals SL1 to SLN to the pixels PX in each row ofthe display unit 3713 by CLK1, CLK2, and FLM received from thecontroller. For example, when data DL1 to DLm to be output from the datadriver 3710 are prepared, the controller 3711 changes CLK2 from high tolow and frame line mark (FLM) from low to high, and then, oscillatesCLK1 to sequentially display the pixels PX in each row.

According to an embodiment, in the display unit 3713, as the secondhousing and the first housing of FIG. 25 expand or shrink to change thearea of exposure of the front portion 3750 of the flexible display, thecurved portion and rear portion 3760 of the flexible display may changein the area of exposure. However, the scan driver 3712 may sequentiallycontrol all of the pixels PX in each row in the display unit 3713regardless of the area of exposure of the front portion 3750 so thatalthough the curved portion and rear portion 3760 of the flexibledisplay are partially unexposed to the outside by the first housing andthe second housing of FIG. 25, the data driver 3710 may transfer dataDL1 to DLm even to the unexposed area in the curved portion and rearportion 3760 of the flexible display. To reduce current consumption, thedata driver 3710 may send Low signals, as data DL1 to DLm, to theunexposed curved portion and rear portion 3760 to stop the pixels PXfrom lighting on.

FIG. 38A is a view illustrating an example of a display device accordingto an embodiment.

An electronic device 3800 may include a first data driver 3801 and asecond data driver 3802. The first data driver 3801 and the second datadriver 3802 may be separately positioned top to down or left to rightwith respect to the curved surface connecting the front and rear surfaceof the display. For example, the electronic device 3800 may include aflexible display expanding from the front to rear surface along thecurved side surface, and when the flexible display expands from thefront surface, the expanded area may be controlled by the second datadriver 3802. According to an embodiment, the area controlled by thefirst data driver 3801 may even include a portion of the expanded areagiven the speed at which the screen is expanded by the user.

According to an embodiment, the data drivers 3801 and 3802 may beconfigured as the first data driver 3801 and the second data driver 3802in one display driving circuit 3600 (e.g., a DDI) as shown in FIG. 36 ormay be separately configured as a first display driving circuit and asecond display driving circuit independent from each other as shown inFIG. 38C. According to an embodiment, the scan driver and clock sourcecontrolled by the first display driving circuit and the second displaydriving circuit may also be independently provided, thus addressing suchan problem as incapability of display at a high resolution or at apredetermined level or higher on the expanded display area due to theFET turn-on timing issue in terms of the nature of the scan driversequentially controlling pixels PX.

FIG. 38B is a view illustrating an example of a display device accordingto an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 38B, screen display on the flexibledisplay may be performed while being selectively controlled by the firstdata driver 3801 or the second data driver 3802 to reduce currentconsumption and to prevent external noise from flowing into theelectronic device along a certain portion of the display (e.g., theunexposed curved portion or rear portion of the display) to affect theoverall display (e.g., flickering) as shown in FIG. 38.

For example, the first data driver 3801 and the second data driver 3802may receive a common CLK source and be data-synced with each other bythe data sync pins.

According to an embodiment, while the flexible display remains shrunkenas shown on the left side of FIG. 38A, the first data driver 3801 alonemay be driven to display the screen, and when the flexible displayexpands as shown on the right side, the area before expansion may bescreen-controlled by the first data driver 3801, and the expanded areamay be screen-controlled by the second data driver 3802.

FIG. 39 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 39, the flexible display 3900 may include, e.g., acurved display area 3930. For example, the flexible display 3900 mayinclude rectangular areas on the plane and at least a portion of thedisplay area may be formed on the curved surface.

According to an embodiment, the flexible display 3900 may include a flatdisplay area (e.g., a front display area 3910 or a rear display area3940), a curved display area 3930 or a boundary area (e.g., a firstboundary area 3921 or a second boundary area 3922). The first boundaryarea 3921 may include an area to display screens related to operatingfunctions of the electronic device 101.

According to an embodiment, the front display area 3910 may be exposedthrough the front surface of the electronic device, and the secondboundary area 3922 and the rear display area 3940 may at least partiallybe covered and hidden by the first housing. Since the rear display area3940 is hidden by the first housing, the rear display area 3940 may havea screen state corresponding to a designated state (e.g., an off stateor black screen) without displaying information.

According to an embodiment, the front display area 3910 may include anarea to which a designated first color variation value (e.g., a maximumalpha blending value) is applied. When the maximum alpha blending valueapplies, the same colors may be displayed on the area

According to an embodiment, the first boundary area 3921 may include anarea to which a designated second color variation value (e.g., adesignated alpha blending value) is applied. When the designated alphablending value applies, the area may be displayed in some of the colorssupposed to be displayed for the area or in varied colors.

According to an embodiment, the second boundary area 3922 and the curveddisplay area 3930 may include an area to which a designated second colorvariation value (e.g., a minimum alpha blending value) is applied. Asthe minimum alpha blending value applies, the maximum alpha blendingvalue may be applied to the second boundary area 3922 and the curveddisplay area 3930 to display a designated color of the screen (e.g., ablack screen) or the original image (e.g., a black screen) of displaydata regardless of display data displayed.

According to an embodiment, when the first housing has an opening in therear surface, the electronic device may apply the first color variationvalue to the rear display area 3940 exposed through the opening anddisplay.

FIG. 40 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 40, a flexible display 4000 of an electronic devicemay display a screen of a first application running. For example, theelectronic device may identify the size of a first area 4010 and asecond area 4020 of areas of the flexible display 4000 exposed throughthe front surface and process and display the first application screento correspond to the identified size of the first area 4010 and thesecond area 4020.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may receive anddisplay data corresponding to the first area 4010 and the second area4020 among screen data of the first application. For example, theelectronic device may apply a first color variation value (e.g., themaximum alpha blending value) to the data corresponding to the firstarea 4010 and display the result and apply a designated second colorvariation value (e.g., a designated alpha blending value) to datacorresponding to the second area 4020 and display the result.

According to an embodiment, upon receiving the full screen data of thefirst application, the electronic device may apply a third colorvariation value (e.g., the minimum alpha blending value) to a third area4030 except for the first area 4010 and the second area 4020 and displaythe result. As the minimum alpha blending value applies, the third area4030 may display a designated color of the screen (e.g., a black screen)regardless of display data displayed.

FIG. 41 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 41, a flexible display 4100 of an electronic devicemay display a screen of a first application running. For example, theelectronic device may identify the size of a first area 4110 of areas ofthe flexible display 4100 exposed through the front surface and processand display the first application screen to correspond to the identifiedsize of the first area 4110. According to an embodiment, upon receivingthe full screen data of the first application, the electronic device mayapply a first color variation value (e.g., the maximum alpha blendingvalue) to screen data of the first area 4110 among the full screen dataof the first application and display the same and apply a third colorvariation value (e.g., the minimum alpha blending value) to the secondarea 4120 except for the first area 4110 and display the result. As theminimum alpha blending value applies, the second area 4120 may display adesignated color of the screen (e.g., a black screen) regardless ofdisplay data displayed. For example, the electronic device may performGPU rendering on the area corresponding to the length denoted with 4111and perform DDI partial window update from the point denoted with 4121.

FIG. 42A is a flowchart illustrating an example of displaying a screenon an electronic device with a flexible display according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 42A, in operation 4210, an electronic device mayreceive display data about a running application.

In operation 4220, the electronic device may identify a display areadisposed on the front surface of the electronic device among displayareas of the flexible display and may identify the position of thedisplay data displayed on the identified display area among the displaydata.

For example, a display driving circuit of the electronic device mayidentify the position on the display where the display data is output.The position of the display data may be previously determined as per theorder of display data being to be supplied to the source driver of thedisplay.

In operation 4230, the electronic device may identify the colorvariation value corresponding to the position of the display datadepending on the position of the display data. For example, theelectronic device may identify the color variation value correspondingto the data depending on whether the position is in the entire area ofthe flexible display, the area exposed through the front surface of theelectronic device, the boundary display area, or the rear surface area.In operation 4240, the electronic device may apply the color variationvalue as per the position of the display data to the data and displaythe data.

For example, referring to FIGS. 42B and 42C, the display driving circuit3600 of the electronic device 4200 may be operated based on the positionof display data like in operation 4230, calculating the color variationvalue as per the position of display data and applying the colorvariation value to the display data. The display driving circuit 3600may identify the positions on each display area for all the receiveddisplay data and calculate and apply the color variation valuedesignated for each position. For example, when the position of displayof the display data is included in the area 4201 where the displaydevice is supposed to actually display the screen, the display drivingcircuit may apply a designated first color variation value (e.g., analpha blending value set to cause no color distortion) to the displaydata and transfer the result to the display 4201 (e.g., the sourcedriver).

According to an embodiment, when the position of the display is includedin the margin area 4203, the display driving circuit may calculate adesignated second color variation value (e.g., an alpha blending valueset to display a black screen) and apply the color variation value tothe display data.

Based on the above-described operations, the display driving circuit ofthe electronic device 4200 may more smoothly and naturally display onthe boundary area 4202 upon displaying the screen including the area4201 that is utilized to display the screen in real-time.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart 4300 illustrating an example of displaying ascreen on an electronic device with a flexible display according to anembodiment. According to an embodiment, an electronic device may displayan execution screen of a first application running.

Referring to FIG. 43, in operation 4310, an electronic device (e.g., theelectronic device 101 of FIG. 1 or the electronic device 301 of FIG. 3)(e.g., the processor 120 or 310 of the electronic device) may determinewhether an event or action related to a second application is receivedwhile the first application is running.

When no event or action related to the second application is determinedin operation 4310 to be received while the first application is running,the electronic device may repetitively perform operation 4310.

When an event or action related to the second application is determinedin operation 4310 to be received while the first application is running,the electronic device may sense a signal from a hall sensor in operation4320.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may determine whetherthe flexible display moves, the direction or distance of the movement,and the current position based on the sensed hall sensor signal.

In operation 4330, the electronic device may set a touch sensingfunction.

According to an embodiment, when the function for sensing touch inputsis currently off, the electronic device may activate the touch sensingfunction, and upon identifying a touch input made within apre-designated time, disable the function of the touch input andinitialize the touch sensing function.

In operation 4340, the electronic device may identify whetherrecognition of coordinates of a touch is varied. When the recognition ofthe coordinates of a touch is determined in operation 4340 to not bevaried, the electronic device may repetitively perform operation 4340.

When the recognition of the coordinates of a touch is determined inoperation 4340 to be varied, the electronic device may adjust the masklayer window based on the varied expansion point in operation 4341. Forexample, as the flexible display area disposed on the rear surface movesto the front surface, the electronic device may determine that the movedflexible display area expands.

In operation 4342, the electronic device may display the screen of thesecond application corresponding to the resolution, supported by theoperating system (OS), of the area where the first application screenhas been displayed before and the expanded area.

In operation 4350, the electronic device may display the firstapplication screen on the expanded area and the second applicationscreen on the area where the first application screen has been displayedbefore.

In operation 4360, the electronic device may determine whether theflexible display expands or shrinks corresponding to a designatedthreshold.

When the area of the flexible display is determined in operation 4360 tobe expanded or shrunken within a designated range, the electronic devicemay perform operation 4341.

When the area of the flexible display expands or shrinks correspondingto the designated threshold as a result of operation 4360, theelectronic device may reset the touch sensing function in operation4361.

In operation 4370, the electronic device may display the screen of thesecond application corresponding to the resolution, supported by the OS,of the expanded or shrunken area corresponding to the designatedthreshold.

FIG. 44 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment.Referring to FIG. 44, a flexible display 4400 of an electronic devicemay include flat display areas such as the front and rear display areas4410 and 4440, a curved display area 4430, and boundary display areas4421 and 4422.

According to an embodiment, while the first application is running, anevent related to the second application may occur, and as per themovement of the flexible display 4400 of the electronic device, the reardisplay area of the flat display areas may partially be moved to thefront display area 4410. For example, the electronic device may identifythat the front display area is expanded as much as the moved area andreset the center value and expansion point of the front display area.

According to an embodiment, the expanded flexible display 4400 mayinclude the flat display area (e.g., the front display area 4410 or therear display area 4440), the curved display area 4430, and the boundaryarea (e.g., a first boundary area 4421 or a second boundary area 4422).For example, as per the movement of the flexible display 4400 of theelectronic device, at least a portion of the prior display area of thefirst application may be moved to the first boundary area 4421.

According to an embodiment, since the second boundary area 4422 and therear display area 4440 of the expanded flexible display 4400 are hiddenby the rear housing, the second boundary area 4422 and the rear displayarea 4440 may have a screen state corresponding to a designated state(e.g., an off state or black screen) without displaying information.

According to an embodiment, a first area 4441 of the front display area4410 may display the second application screen, and a second area 4442of the front display area 4410, except for the first area 4441, maydisplay the first application screen.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may apply a firstcolor variation value (e.g., a maximum alpha blending value) to thefront display area 4410, a designated second color variation value(e.g., a designated alpha blending value) to the first boundary area4421, and a designated third color variation value (e.g., a minimumalpha blending value) to the curved display area 4430. By theapplication of the minimum alpha blending value, the curved display area4430 may display a designated color of the screen (e.g., a black screen)or the original image (e.g., a black screen) of display data regardlessof the display data displayed.

According to an embodiment, when the first housing has an opening in therear surface, the electronic device may apply the first color variationvalue to the rear display area 4440 exposed through the opening anddisplay.

Various embodiments of multi-screen configurations are described belowwith reference to FIGS. 45 to 48. In FIGS. 45 to 48, App(A) may refer toa prior application executed and displayed, and App(B) may refer to anew application executed and displayed.

FIGS. 45 and 46 are views illustrating an example of a screen displayedon an electronic device with a flexible display according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 45 and 46, an electronic device 4500 or 4600 maydisplay a screen of an application A running through a flexible display4501 or 4601. For example, application A may be configured to provide adesignated aspect (horizontal-vertical) ratio and detect the orientation(e.g., a landscape or portrait orientation) of the electronic device4500 or 4600 at the time of the occurrence of such an event that atleast a portion of the display area of the flexible display disposed onthe rear surface is moved to the front surface to be set in the sameview mode as the orientation of the electronic device 4500 or 4600.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 4500 or 4600 mayidentify that an event related to application B occurs while applicationA is running, and within a designated time, the flexible display 4501 or4601 of the electronic device 4500 or 4600 is moved. For example, atleast a portion of the display area of the flexible display disposed onthe rear surface may be moved to the front surface, expanding the screenarea displayable on the front surface.

According to an embodiment, application B may have a designatedresolution of a designated aspect ratio and provide both a landscape andportrait screen configuration according to the orientation (e.g.,landscape or portrait orientation) of the electronic device 4500 or4600.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 45, the electronic device 4500 maydisplay a screen of application B on the right portion 4520 of theexpanded display area. According to an embodiment, while both the screenof application A and the screen of application B are displayed, theelectronic device may detect the movement of the flexible display.

According to an embodiment, as the flexible display moves, a portion ofthe flexible display disposed on the front surface may be moved to therear surface. For example, the electronic device 4500 may set the screenof application B corresponding to the size of the expanded portion,except for the portion moved to the rear surface, of the front displayarea of the flexible display and display the screen on the expandedportion (or right portion, or third area 4530). According to anembodiment, when the expanded portion is a smaller size than a presetsize, the electronic device may display, e.g., a taskbar to indicate theexecution state of the application, on the expanded portion.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 4500 may detect itsrotating from the landscape to portrait orientation. For example, theelectronic device 4500 may resize the screen into that of the portraitview while maintaining the horizontal-vertical correlation of screen(e.g., view mode, ratio, or size correlation) that used to in thelandscape orientation.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 4500 may resize anddisplay the screens of application A and application B on the fourtharea 4540 and the fifth area 4550 while maintaining the view mode of thefirst area 4510 and the second area 4520. For example, the screen ofapplication A which used to be displayed on the first area 4510 in thelandscape view mode may be resized and displayed on the fourth area 4540while remaining in the landscape view mode, and the screen ofapplication B which used to be displayed on the second area 4520 in theportrait view mode may be resized and displayed on the fifth area 4550while remaining in the portrait view mode.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 4500 in the portraitorientation may detect the movement of the flexible display whileapplication A and application B are being displayed. For example, theelectronic device 4500 may display the first application on the fourtharea 4540 of the entire front area and the second application on thefifth area 4550.

According to an embodiment, while both the screen of application A andthe screen of application B are displayed, the electronic device maydetect the movement of the flexible display. According to an embodiment,as the flexible display moves, a portion of the flexible displaydisposed on the front surface may be moved to the rear surface. Forexample, the electronic device 4500 may set the screen of application Bcorresponding to the size of the expanded portion (a top portion, orsixth area 4560), except for the portion moved to the rear surface, ofthe front display area of the flexible display and display the screen onthe expanded portion. According to an embodiment, when the expandedportion is a smaller size than a preset size, the electronic device maydisplay, e.g., a taskbar to indicate the execution state of theapplication, on the expanded portion.

According to an embodiment, when the electronic device 4500 rotateswhile the flexible display shrunken into a designated size displaysapplication B on the third area 4530 at a designated resolution or ataskbar of application B to indicate the execution state or displaysapplication A on the expanded portion (e.g., a sixth area 4560) at adesignated resolution or a taskbar of application A to indicate theexecution state, application A and application B may provide screenconfigurations when changes have been made in position and display formdue to the screen expansion or shrinkage while maintaining the currentview mode depending on the orientation (e.g., landscape or portraitorientation) of the electronic device 4500. For example, when theelectronic device 4500 is rotated while displaying application B or ataskbar to indicate the execution state thereof on the third area 4530,the screen of application B may be expanded and displayed on the fourtharea 4540, and the screen of application A used to be displayed on thefirst area 4510 may be shrunken, and application A or a taskbar toindicate the execution state thereof may be displayed on the expandedportion.

FIG. 46 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 46, an electronic device 4600 may display a screen ofan application A running through a flexible display 4601. For example,application A may provide a screen in a designated aspect ratio anddetect the orientation (e.g., landscape or portrait orientation) of theelectronic device 4600 to set its screen configuration in a landscapeview or portrait view mode.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 4600 may identify thatan event related to application B occurs while application A is running,and within a designated time, the flexible display 4601 of theelectronic device 4600 is moved. For example, at least a portion of thedisplay area of the flexible display disposed on the rear surface may bemoved to the front surface, expanding the screen area displayable on thefront surface.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 4600 may display ascreen of application B on the top portion 4620 of the expanded displayarea. According to an embodiment, while both the screen of application Aand the screen of application B are displayed, the electronic device maydetect the movement of the flexible display.

According to an embodiment, as the flexible display moves, a portion ofthe flexible display disposed on the front surface may be moved to therear surface. For example, the electronic device 4600 may set the screenof application B corresponding to the size of the expanded portion 4630,except for the portion moved to the rear surface, of the front displayarea of the flexible display and display the screen on the expandedportion (e.g., a top portion) 4630. According to an embodiment, when theexpanded portion 4630 is a smaller size than a preset size, theelectronic device may display, e.g., a taskbar or icon to indicate theexecution state of the application, on the expanded portion 4630.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 4600 may detect itsrotating from the portrait to landscape orientation. For example, theelectronic device 4600 may change the aspect ratio of the screendisplayed in the portrait orientation to configure the screen in alandscape view mode.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 4600 may configure anddisplay the screens of application A and application B in the landscapeview mode on the fourth area 4640 and the fifth area 4650 to which thefirst area 4610 and the top portion (e.g., a second area) 4620 have beenchanged in aspect ratio.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 4600 in the landscapeorientation may detect the movement of the flexible display whileapplication A and application B are being displayed. For example, theelectronic device 4600 may display application B on the fifth area 4660of the entire front area and application A on the sixth area 4650 of theentire front area.

According to an embodiment, while both the screen of application A andthe screen of application B are displayed, the electronic device maydetect the movement of the flexible display. According to an embodiment,as the flexible display moves, a portion of the flexible displaydisposed on the front surface may be moved to the rear surface. Forexample, the electronic device 4600 may set the screen of application Acorresponding to the size of the expanded portion (or right portion)4660, except for the portion moved to the rear surface, of the frontdisplay area of the flexible display, and display the screen on theexpanded portion 4660. According to an embodiment, when the rightportion 4660 is a smaller size than a preset size, the electronic devicemay display, e.g., a taskbar or icon to indicate the execution state ofthe application, on the right portion 4660.

FIG. 47 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 47, an electronic device 4700 may display a screen ofan application A running through a first area 4710 of a flexible display4701. For example, application A may provide a screen configuration bothin the landscape view mode and in the portrait view mode depending onthe orientation (e.g., landscape or portrait orientation) of theelectronic device 4700 or may detect the orientation (e.g., landscape orportrait orientation) of the electronic device 4700 to be set in thesame view mode as the orientation of the electronic device 4700.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 4700 in the landscapeorientation may identify that an event related to application B occurswhile application A is running, and within a designated time, theflexible display of the electronic device 4700 is moved. For example, aportion of the rear area of the flexible display may be moved to thefront surface. Application B may provide a screen configuration both inthe landscape view mode and in the portrait view mode depending on theorientation (e.g., landscape or portrait orientation) of the electronicdevice 4700 or may detect the orientation (e.g., landscape or portraitorientation) of the electronic device 4700 to be set in the same viewmode as the orientation of the electronic device 4700.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 4700 may display thescreen of application A in the landscape view mode on the second screenarea 4720 among the screen areas including the moved area and the screenof application B in the portrait view mode on the third screen area4730. For example, in the landscape orientation, the electronic device4700 may set the screen of applications A and B in the landscape viewmode, change the resolution, and display them on the second screen area4720 and the third screen area 4730.

According to an embodiment, in the portrait orientation or upondetecting the rotation from the landscape to portrait orientation, theelectronic device 4700 may detect the movement of the flexible displayand display the screen of application A in the portrait view mode on thefourth screen area 4740 among the screen areas including the moved areaand the screen of application B in the portrait view mode on the fifthscreen area 4750. For example, the electronic device 4700 may set thescreen of application B in the portrait view mode, change the screenresolution of applications A and B, and display them on the fourthscreen area 4740 and the fifth screen area 4750.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 4700 in the portraitorientation may configure and display the screen of application A thatis running, in the portrait view mode on the sixth area 4760 of theflexible display 4701. For example, the electronic device 4700 in theportrait orientation may identify that an event related to application Boccurs while application A is running, and the flexible display of theelectronic device 4700 is moved.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 4500 in the portraitorientation may detect the movement of the sliding part whileapplication A and application B are being displayed. For example, as theflexible display moves, a portion of the rear area of the flexibledisplay may be moved to the front surface.

According to an embodiment, when the flexible display 4701 moves toexpand in a designated size, the electronic device 4700 may display thescreen of application B on a seventh area 4770 at a designatedresolution. For example, the electronic device 4700 may set and displaythe screen of application A on an eighth area 4780, corresponding to thesize of the eighth area 4780 except for the seventh area 4770 among thedisplay areas including the expanded area. According to an embodiment,when the eighth portion 4780 is a smaller size than a preset size, theelectronic device may display, e.g., a taskbar to indicate the executionstate of the application, on the eighth area (or eighth portion) 4780.

According to an embodiment, when the electronic device 4700 rotateswhile the flexible display shrunken into a designated size displaysapplication B on the third screen area 4730 at a designated resolutionor a taskbar of application B to indicate the execution state, theelectronic device 4700 may provide a landscape view screen configurationor portrait view screen configuration while maintaining the window sizeof application A and application B depending on the orientation (e.g.,landscape or portrait orientation) of the electronic device 4700.

FIG. 48 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 48, an electronic device 4800 in the landscapeorientation may display, in the portrait view mode, a screen of anapplication A running through a first area 4810 of a flexible display4801. For example, application A may be set to a designated resolutionof a designated aspect ratio and provide both a landscape and portraitscreen configuration according to the orientation (e.g., landscape orportrait orientation) of the electronic device 4800.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 4800 may identify thatan event (e.g., an application push message notification or user input)related to application B occurs while application A is running, andwithin a designated time, the flexible display of the electronic device4800 is moved. For example, at least a portion of the rear area of theflexible display may be moved to the front surface. Application B mayhave a designated resolution of a designated aspect ratio and provideboth a landscape and portrait screen configuration according to theorientation (e.g., landscape or portrait orientation) of the electronicdevice 4800.

According to an embodiment, upon an occurrence of such an event that atleast a portion of the rear area of the flexible display is moved to thefront surface, when the user has previously made a setting or set aneffect of application B to be displayed on the expanded area on thefront surface, the electronic device 4800 may display application B, thesetting or effect on the front expanded area even when the event relatedto application B does not occur while application A is running.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 4800 may maintain thescreen of application A displayed on the first area 4810 in the portraitview mode and set and display the screen of application B on the secondarea 4820 in the portrait view mode.

According to an embodiment, as the flexible display moves, a portion ofthe flexible display disposed on the front surface may be moved to therear surface. For example, the electronic device 4800 may set the screenof application B corresponding to the size of the expanded portion (orthird area) 4830, except for the portion moved to the rear surface, ofthe front display area of the flexible display and display the screen onthe right portion. According to an embodiment, when the right portion isa smaller size than a preset size, the electronic device may display,e.g., a taskbar to indicate the execution state of the application, onthe right portion.

According to an embodiment, upon detecting a rotating of the electronicdevice 4800 from the landscape to portrait orientation, the electronicdevice 4800 may display the screen of application A on the third area4830, i.e., the first area 4810 in the portrait orientation and thescreen of application B on the fourth area 4840, i.e., the second area4820 in the landscape orientation.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 4800 in the portraitorientation may detect the movement of the flexible display whiledisplaying the screen of the running first application on the third area4830 in the portrait orientation and may maintain the screen ofapplication A displayed on the third area 4830 in the portrait view modewhile displaying the screen of application B on the moved fourth area4840 in the landscape view mode. For example, the electronic device 4800in the portrait orientation may detect the movement of the flexibledisplay while application A and application B are being displayed. Forexample, as the flexible display moves, a portion of the front area ofthe flexible display may be moved to the rear surface.

According to an embodiment, when the flexible display 4801 moves toshrink in a designated size, the electronic device 4800 may display thescreen of application A on the fifth area 4850 at a designatedresolution.

For example, the electronic device 4800 may set and display the screenof application B on the sixth area 4860, corresponding to the size ofthe sixth area 4860 except for the fifth area 4850 among the shrunkendisplay areas. According to an embodiment, when the sixth area 4860 is asmaller size than a preset size, the electronic device may display,e.g., a taskbar to indicate the execution state of the application, onthe sixth area 4860.

According to an embodiment, when the electronic device 4800 rotateswhile the flexible display shrunken into a designated size displaysapplication B on the seventh area or sixth area 4860 at a designatedresolution or a taskbar of application B to indicate the executionstate, the electronic device 4800 may provide a landscape view screenconfiguration or portrait view screen configuration while maintainingthe window size of application A and application B depending on theorientation (e.g., landscape or portrait orientation) of the electronicdevice 4800.

FIGS. 49A and 49B are flowcharts illustrating various examples ofdisplaying a screen on an electronic device with a flexible displayaccording to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 49A, in operation 4910, an electronic device (e.g.,the electronic device 101 of FIG. 1 or the electronic device 301 of FIG.3) (e.g., the processor 120 or 310 of the electronic device) maydetermine whether a designated event or action (e.g., an applicationpush notification or user input) is received. Upon receiving thedesignated event or action, the display the screen may switch into adisplay mode to display the event or action in operation 4911. When thearea of screen exposed is changed within a predetermined time inoperation 4922, the electronic device may identify whether the displaymode is a landscape view mode or portrait view mode in operation 4923.In operation 4930, upon identifying a multi-screen setting, theelectronic device may proceed with branch A, and otherwise, perform Case5 in operation 4932. In operation 4922, unless the area of screenexposed is changed within the predetermined time, the electronic devicemay perform a pre-designated function on the received action.

When the designated event or action is not received in operation 4910,and the display expands in operation 4912, the electronic device mayidentify a setting or application designated for the expanded area inoperation 4913. Without the setting or application being identified, theelectronic device may display a first screen in operation 4921. With thesetting or application being identified, the electronic device mayidentify whether the area of screen exposed is changed with apredetermined time in operation 4922. When the area of screen exposed ischanged within the predetermined time in operation 4922, the electronicdevice may identify whether the display mode is the landscape view modeor portrait view mode in operation 4923. In operation 4924, if the areaof screen exposed is not changed within the predetermined time, theelectronic device may perform a pre-designated function on the receivedaction.

When the multi-screen setting is identified to proceed with branch A inoperation 4930, the electronic device may identify a screen ratio forthe expanded area based on the application or designated settingcorresponding to the received event or action in operation 4931. Inoperation 4933, the electronic device may identify the application,designated setting, or the screen ratio for the application,corresponding to the event or action.

Unless identified to be a pre-designated setting or application inoperation 4934, the electronic device may proceed with Case 4-2, andwhen identified to be the pre-designated setting or application, theelectronic device may identify whether it may be changed into a newapplication display mode in operation 4940. Unless identified to bechanged into the new application display mode in operation 4940, theelectronic device may identify whether the existing application displaymode may be changed in operation 4942. Upon determining in operation4942 that the existing application display mode may be changed, theelectronic device may perform Case 3, and otherwise, perform Case 4-1 inoperation 4952.

In operation 4941, the electronic device may perform Case 1, and whenthe display rotates in operation 4950, the electronic device may performCase 2 in operation 4951.

In the above-described flowcharts, each Case may be defined as follows.

Case 1 may be a default layout for an application in which theapplication may be executed on an expanded area by an event or actionwhile maintaining the aspect ratio and application view mode for theexisting screen. By the event or action, the application may be executedin an opposite mode of the existing screen view mode (hereinafterreferred to as a ‘set mode’ for ease of description). For example, whenthe set mode is the landscape view mode, the new application may bepositioned in the expanded area in the portrait view mode. According toan embodiment, when there is a preset application before the userexpands or shrinks the flexible display in a way other than an event oraction, the flexible display may be operated in a multi-screen mode whenexpanded.

Case 2 may refer to when the electronic device is rotated after theapplication is laid out in which case a change may be made to the screenfor the expanded area and the prior area. For example, upon changingfrom the landscape to portrait view mode, a change may be made to thelayout as described above in connection with FIG. 45, and upon changingfrom the portrait to landscape view mode, a change may be made to thelayout as described above in connection with FIG. 46.

In Case 4-1 and Case 4-2, despite the rotation of the electronic device,the first application and the second application may not be repositionedas shown in FIGS. 45 and 46. According to an embodiment, themulti-screen policy for the rotation of the electronic device after theapplications have been laid out may be varied by the user's settings,and when a default setting is made to the electronic device, Case 2 toCase 4 may all be disregarded.

Case 3 may be defined as when the first application and the secondapplication switch their positions in FIGS. 45 and 46.

Case 5 may refer to when the user's policy for rotation has been set asdefault in which case the multi-screen policy may be changed to theuser's default setting, and if so set, Case 2 to Case 4 may all bedisregarded. When the electronic device is rotated regardless of whetherthe application supports the landscape view mode or portrait view modein Case 5, the electronic device may operate not in Case 2 but in Case5. Case 5 may be defined as described above in connection with FIGS. 47and 48.

FIG. 50A is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 50A, an electronic device 5000 in the landscapeorientation may display a screen of a video playing application which isrunning through a first area 5010 of a flexible display 5001. Forexample, the video playing application may be an application to outputvideo content set to be displayed at a designated resolution and in thelandscape view mode.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 5000 may identify thatan event (e.g., displaying a notification message 5021) related to amessaging application occurs while the video playing application isrunning, and within a designated time, the flexible display moves toexpand to allow a second area 5020 to be moved to the front surface.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 5000 may display thenotification message 5021 on the expanded second area 5020.

FIG. 50B is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment.Referring to FIG. 50B, an electronic device 5000 in the landscapeorientation may display a screen of a video playing application which isrunning through a first area 5010 of a flexible display 5001. Forexample, the video playing application may be an application to outputvideo content set to be displayed at a designated resolution and in thelandscape view mode.

According to an embodiment, in the electronic device 5000, an event(e.g., displaying a notification message 5021) related to a messagingapplication may occur while the video playing application is running.According to an embodiment, when the event occurs with the screen of theflexible display 5001 already expanded, and the user directly enters anexecution action for the event, the electronic device may be operated inthe multi-screen mode considering the screen aspect ratio as shown inFIG. 50B.

FIG. 51 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 51, an electronic device 5100 in the portraitorientation may display a screen of a web browser application which isrunning through a first area 5110 of a flexible display 5101. Forexample, the web browser application may be an application that isdisplayed at a resolution set depending on the screen area where it isdisplayed.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 5100 may identify thatan event (e.g., receiving a notification message) related to a messagingapplication occurs while the web browser application is running, andwithin a designated time, the flexible display moves to expand to allowa second area 5120 to be moved to the front surface.

According to an embodiment, as the messaging application is identifiedas supporting the portrait view mode and set to be display at apre-designated resolution, the electronic device 5100 may display thescreen of the messaging application on the first area 5130 correspondingto the resolution of the messaging application.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 5100 may reset, anddisplay on the second area 5120, the screen of the web browserapplication in the landscape view mode corresponding to the size of thesecond area 5120 moved and expanded to the front surface.

FIG. 52 is a flowchart 5200 illustrating an example of performing adesignated function upon receiving an input from an electronic devicewith a flexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 52, an electronic device may identify that a call isreceived in operation 5210. For example, the electronic device maydisplay a screen to indicate that the call is received. The screen mayinclude a button for accepting the call or switching to a video call.

In operation 5211, the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101 of FIG. 1 or the electronic device 301 of FIG. 3) (e.g., theprocessor 120 or 310 of the electronic device) may determine whether thedisplay of the electronic device is expanded. For example, the displaymay be a flexible display, and the flexible display may partially moveto expand from the rear to front surface.

When the display of the electronic device is not determined to beexpanded in operation 5211, the electronic device may determine whethera user input (e.g., a drag input) is received through the screen inoperation 5212. When a user input (e.g., a drag input) is determined inoperation 5212 to be received through the screen, the electronic devicemay receive a voice call for the received call in operation 5213.

In operation 5214, the electronic device may identify that the displayof the electronic device has been expanded to the maximum size or a sizelarger than a designated threshold. In operation 5215, the electronicdevice may display an image (e.g., an icon or button) for performing avoice call-related function on the expanded area.

When the display of the electronic device is determined to be expandedin operation 5211, the electronic device may determine whether theexpansion of the display exceeds a threshold (e.g., the display expandsto the maximum) in operation 5222. When the display of the electronicdevice is determined in operation 5222 to be expanded less than themaximum value, the electronic device may repetitively perform operation5222. When the display of the electronic device is determined inoperation 5222 to be expanded to the maximum value, the electronicdevice may reset the touch sensing function in operation 5223.

In operation 5224, the electronic device may perform video call for thereceived call. After performing operation 5214 or operation 5224, theelectronic device may determine whether the display of the electronicdevice is shrunken to the minimum in operation 5225. When the display ofthe electronic device is determined in operation 5225 to be shrunken inexcess of a threshold (e.g., when shrunken to the minimum), theelectronic device may repetitively perform operation 5225.

When the display of the electronic device is determined in operation5225 to be shrunken less than the threshold (e.g., when shrunken to theminimum), the electronic device may end the voice call or video callbeing executed.

FIG. 53 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 53, upon receiving a call, an electronic device 5300may display a screen 5310 to indicate that the call is received. Thescreen 5310 may include a first object 5301 that moves as per adesignated gesture, a second object 5302 to perform a voice call, or athird object 5303 to perform a video call.

According to an embodiment, upon receiving a designated first gestureinput while displaying the screen 5310, the electronic device 5300 mayperform a voice call with the other party. For example, the designatedfirst gesture input may be an input to move the first object 5301 in ahorizontal direction to overlap with at least part of the second object5302.

According to an embodiment, upon receiving a designated second gestureinput while displaying the screen 5310, the electronic device 5300 mayperform a video call with the other party. For example, the designatedsecond gesture input may be an input to move a slide bar of theelectronic device 5300 to enable a portion of the flexible displaydisposed on the rear surface of the electronic device 5300 to move tothe front surface.

According to an embodiment, upon receiving the second gesture input, theelectronic device 5300 may display a screen 5320 to provide a videocall-related function. For example, the screen 5320 may include an area5321 to display images captured by the electronic device, an area 5322to display images captured by the electronic device 5300, and buttons5323 to perform the video call-related function.

FIG. 54 is a view illustrating an example of a flexible display of anelectronic device as viewed from above a side thereof, according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 54, an electronic device 5400 may include a flexibledisplay 5401. For example, the flexible display 5401 may at leastpartially be bent in a U shape.

According to an embodiment, a first housing 5410 may be disposed on therear surface of the electronic device 5400, and the flexible display5401 may be fixed to at least part of a lower supporting rail to bemoved along a curved line. The first housing 5410 may include an opening5412, and a portion of the flexible display 5401 disposed on the rearsurface may be exposed through the opening 5412.

According to an embodiment, when the electronic device 5400 isconfigured so that the first housing 5410 is fixed and the flexibledisplay 501 is movable upwards or downwards, the area of the flexibledisplay 5401 disposed on the rear surface may have a second colorvariation value (e.g., the minimum alpha blending value) applied theretonot to display the screen to the outside, thereby reducing currentconsumption.

According to an embodiment, when a portion of the flexible display 5401disposed on the rear surface is exposed through the opening or rigidglass 5411 depending on the moving distance of the flexible display5401, a first color variation value (e.g., the maximum alpha blendingvalue) may be applied to the exposed area that may then be displayed.

FIG. 55 is a flowchart 5500 illustrating an example of displaying ascreen on an electronic device with a flexible display according to anembodiment. According to an embodiment, an electronic device may displaya screen of a running application on an area disposed on the frontsurface of the electronic device among display areas of the flexibledisplay.

Referring to FIG. 55, the electronic device may sense a signal from ahall sensor in operation 5510. In operation 5520, the electronic devicemay set a touch sensing function of the flexible display. In operation5530, the electronic device may determine whether recognition ofcoordinates of a touch is varied.

Unless the area of the flexible display disposed on the rear surface ofthe electronic device is determined in operation 5530 to be moved, theelectronic device may identify that there is no variation in therecognition of coordinates of a touch and repetitively perform operation5530.

When the area of the flexible display disposed on the rear surface ofthe electronic device is determined in operation 5530 to be moved to thefront surface, the electronic device may identify that the moved area isan expanded display portion on the front surface in operation 5540 andidentify screen data corresponding to the expanded portion among thescreen data of the application.

In operation 5550, the electronic device may apply a designated settingto the screen data corresponding to the expanded portion. In operation5560, the electronic device may determine whether the front area of theflexible display is expanded to a designated maximum value. When theflexible display is determined in operation 5560 to be expanded lessthan the designated value, the electronic device may perform operation5540.

When the display of the electronic device is determined in operation5560 to be expanded to the designated maximum value, the electronicdevice may reset the touch sensing function in operation 5570.

FIG. 56 is a flowchart 5600 illustrating an example of displaying ascreen on an electronic device with a flexible display according to anembodiment. According to an embodiment, an electronic device may displaya screen of a running application on an area disposed on the frontsurface of the electronic device among display areas of the flexibledisplay.

Referring to FIG. 56, in operation 5610, an electronic device (e.g., theelectronic device 101 of FIG. 1 or the electronic device 301 of FIG. 3)(e.g., the processor 120 or 310 of the electronic device) may detect asignal from a hall sensor. In operation 5620, the electronic device mayset a touch sensing function of the flexible display. In operation 5630,the electronic device may determine whether recognition of coordinatesof a touch is varied.

Unless the area of the flexible display disposed on the rear surface ofthe electronic device is determined in operation 5630 to be moved, theelectronic device may identify that there is no variation in therecognition of coordinates of a touch and repetitively perform operation5630.

When the area of the flexible display disposed on the rear surface ofthe electronic device is determined in operation 5630 to be moved to thefront surface, the electronic device may identify that the moved area isan expanded display portion on the front surface in operation 5640 andidentify screen data corresponding to the expanded portion among thescreen data of the application.

In operation 5650, the electronic device may identify the type of therunning application and identify the display setting for the screen datacorresponding to the expanded portion. In operation 5660, the electronicdevice may apply the identified display setting to the expanded anddisplay. In operation 5670, the electronic device may determine whetherthe front area of the flexible display is expanded to a designatedmaximum value.

When the flexible display is determined in operation 5670 to be expandedless than the designated value, the electronic device may performoperation 5640. When the display of the electronic device is determinedin operation 5670 to be expanded to the designated maximum value, theelectronic device may reset the touch sensing function in operation5680.

FIG. 57A is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed when animage capturing function is performed on an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 57A, an electronic device 5700 may display an imagereceived through a camera on a first area 5710 of a flexible display5701 disposed on the front surface of the electronic device 5700 as acamera application runs.

According to an embodiment, an image corresponding to the imagedisplayed on the first area 5710 and a capture button 5702 may bedisplayed on a second area 5720 of the flexible display 5701 disposed onthe rear surface of the electronic device 5700. For example, theelectronic device 5700 may display the same image as the image displayedon the first area 5710 on the second area 5720.

According to an embodiment, the image displayed on the second area 5720may be the image displayed on the first area 5710 which is on theopposite surface of the second area 5720. When one flexible display isdriven by one display driving circuit (or a data driver), the imagedisplayed on the second area 5720 may be an image by adjusting theresolution of the image displayed on the first area 5710 to suit thesize of the second area 5720 and rotating and left-to-right invertingthe resolution-adjusted image.

According to an embodiment, as the flexible display disposed on the rearsurface of the electronic device 5700 moves, at least a portion of theflexible display 5701 disposed on the rear surface may be moved to thefront surface. For example, the electronic device 5700 may controldisplaying the image being captured on the third area 5730 including thearea moved from the rear to front surface and the first area 5710.

According to an embodiment, as at least a portion of the flexibledisplay 5701 disposed on the rear surface is moved to the front surface,the image being captured may be set to have the resolution of the thirdarea 5730 and be displayed on the third area 5730. For example, when theimage being captured, an image resulting from changing the resolution ofthe image being captured to fit the rear area may be displayed on thethird area 5730, the rest 5740 of the rear area except for the portionmoved to the front surface. When the third area 5730 is in the maximumscreen size, not the image being captured but a pre-designated object(e.g., a capture button) may be displayed.

According to an embodiment, since the rear area of the flexible display5701 is relatively smaller in size than the front area, the rear areamay display various pieces of information depending on various useenvironments. For example, upon detecting the movement of an objectthrough the camera disposed on the rear surface, the electronic devicemay switch into the camera preview mode and display. According to anembodiment, when the user faces the rear area, and a designatedapplication is operated or a pre-defined event (e.g., a messengernotification event) occurs, the electronic device may display thecorresponding screen on the rear area.

According to an embodiment, when the third area 5730 is in the maximumscreen size, the image displayed on the third area 5730 may change itsresolution into the resolution of the image displayed on the first area5710. For example, as the rear area of the flexible display partiallymoves to the front surface, the image displayed on the second area 5720may be replaced with a pre-designated object (e.g., a capture button orflash), and the image displayed on the first area 5710 may remainwithout a change in resolution despite the expansion of the front areaof the flexible display, and when the third area 5730 turns to themaximum screen size, a change may simultaneously be made to theresolution, thereby reducing the current consumption of the displaydriving circuit.

FIGS. 57B and 57C are views illustrating an example of a screendisplayed when an image capturing function is performed on an electronicdevice with a flexible display according to an embodiment. Referring toFIGS. 57B and 57C, an electronic device 5700 may left-right invert animage displayed on a first area 5710 and display the inverted image on asecond area 5720. For example, when one flexible display is controlledby one display driving circuit (or data driver), the inverted image maybe an image resulting from adjusting the resolution of the imagedisplayed on the first area 5710 to fit the size of the second area5720, inverting the image data (such as in the landscape view mode), orinvert-and-then-rotate the image data (such as in the portrait viewmode). For example, the image displayed on the first area 5710 may besubject to a resolution change to be displayed on the second area 5720which is different in size than the first area 5710. Data DL1 to DLnoutput from the flexible display data driver (or display drivingcircuit) may be connected via straight lines between the front surfaceand rear surface and be displayed separately between the front surfaceand the rear surface by separate scan data SL1 to SLn. To display animage on the second area 5720, DL1 data and DLn data which represent theimage on the first area 5710 may be altered into DLa and DLb,respectively, the resolution is changed, and DL1 to DLn displayed by SLamay be changed to be displayed by SLb. For example, since the flexibledisplay is bent in a U shape with the front surface (e.g., the firstarea 5710) connected with the rear surface (e.g., the second area 5720),the image displayed on the first area 5710 may be inverted and displayedon the second area 5720. DL1 data and DLn data for the image to bedisplayed on the first area 5710 may be altered into DLb and DLa,respectively, the resolution of the image to be displayed on the secondarea 5720 is changed, and DL1 to DLn displayed by SLa may be changed tobe displayed by SLb. For example, when the current set is the portraitview mode, the image to be displayed on the second area may utilizeimage rotation further to resolution change and image inversion. DL1data and DLn data for the image to be displayed on the first area 5710may be altered into DLa and DLb, respectively, the resolution of theimage to be displayed on the second area 5720 is changed, and DL1 to DLndisplayed by SLa may be changed to be displayed by SLc.

All of the processes, including the image resolution change (orresizing), image inversion, and image rotation, may be performed by thedisplay driving circuit before displayed on the second area 5720, andthen, the final image, i.e., the image having undergone resizing, imageinversion, and image rotation, may be represented on the flexibledisplay by the data driver.

FIG. 58 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed when animage capturing function is performed on an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 58, an electronic device 5800 may display an imagereceived through a camera and a capture button 5802 on a first area 5810of a flexible display 5801 disposed on the rear surface of theelectronic device 5800 as a camera application runs.

According to an embodiment, an image corresponding to the imagedisplayed on the first area 5810 and a capture button 5802 may bedisplayed on a second area of the flexible display 5801 disposed on therear surface of the electronic device 5800.

According to an embodiment, as the flexible display disposed on the rearsurface of the electronic device 5800 moves, at least a portion of theflexible display 5801 disposed on the rear surface may be moved to thefront surface. For example, the electronic device 5800 may display notthe image being captured but a pre-designated object (e.g., the capturebutton 5802) on the remaining rear area except for the portion moved tothe front surface.

According to an embodiment, in camera preview, the full screen may bedisplayed on the first area 5810, and when the flexible display 5801expands, e.g., blinking may be displayed to indicate whether the objectdisplayed on the screen is in a correct posture.

According to an embodiment, in camera preview, the full screen includingthe capture button 5802 may be displayed on the first area 5810, andwhen the area of exposure shrinks, the capture button 5802 may bedisplayed on the second area shrunken.

According to an embodiment, when the rear area of the electronic deviceis intended for a flashlight, if the front area of the flexible display5801 shrinks to the minimum, then the rear area may expand to themaximum and function as a flashlight.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 5800 may output firstlight using a light unit included in the flexible display 5801. Forexample, when the flexible display 5801 at least partially moves fromthe front to rear surface while the function is running, the electronicdevice 5800 may control a flash unit to output second light.

FIG. 59 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed as aflexible display of an electronic device resizes according to anembodiment.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device 5900 in the landscapeorientation may include a flexible display 5901. As a housing (e.g., theflexible display) of the electronic device 5900 moves, a portion of theflexible display 5901 may selectively be slid in or out from the side ofthe electronic device 5900.

Referring to FIG. 59, a screen of a video playing application beingexecuted on the electronic device 5900 may be displayed on a first area5910 of the flexible display 5901. The resolution of the applicationscreen may correspond to the resolution of the first area 5910.

According to an embodiment, the user may move the flexible display toexpand the exposed first area 5910 of the flexible display 5901. Forexample, the electronic device 5900 may display data corresponding tothe expanded area of the first area 5910 on a second area 5920 includingthe expanded area.

According to an embodiment, the user may move the flexible display tothe maximum to maximally expand the exposed first area 5910 of theflexible display 5901 to a third area 5930. For example, the electronicdevice 5900 may identify and display data corresponding to the expandedarea of the first area 5910 on the third area 5930 including theexpanded area.

FIG. 60 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed as aflexible display of an electronic device resizes according to anembodiment.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device 6000 in the landscapeorientation may include a flexible display 6001. As a housing of theelectronic device 6000 slides, a portion of the flexible display 6001may selectively be slid in or out from the side of the electronic device6000.

Referring to FIG. 60, a screen of a video playing application beingexecuted on the electronic device 6000 may be displayed on a first area6010 of the flexible display 6001. The resolution of the applicationscreen may correspond to the resolution of the first area 6010.

According to an embodiment, the user may move the flexible display toexpand the exposed first area 6010 of the flexible display 6001. Forexample, the electronic device 6000 may identify the size of the secondarea 6020 expanded from the first area 6010.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 6000 may identify ascreen configuration or image effect set corresponding to the identifiedsize. For example, according to a designated setting, the electronicdevice 6000 may display a designated icon 6021 or a screen 6022 to whicha designated color variation value has applied on the second area 6020.

According to an embodiment, the user may move the flexible display tothe maximum to maximally expand the exposed first area 6010 of theflexible display 6001 to a third area 6030. For example, the electronicdevice 6000 may identify and display data corresponding to the expandedarea of the first area 6010 on the third area 6030 including theexpanded area.

FIG. 61 is a view 6100 illustrating an example of displaying a screen asa flexible display of an electronic device resizes according to anembodiment.

In operation 6110, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 101of FIG. 1 or the electronic device 301 of FIG. 3) (e.g., the processor120 or 310 of the electronic device) may identify a touch area of anactive area. For example, the active area may be the flexible displayarea disposed on the front surface of the electronic device. Inoperation 6120, the electronic device may determine whether a touchinput is received through the active area. Thus, the user may identifywhether a touch is made on the active area or, to recognize a change inthe size of the screen, whether a touch is made by the dielectric 1870of FIG. 18.

When no touch input is identified in operation 6120 to be receivedthrough the active area, the electronic device may repetitively performoperation 6120.

When a touch input is identified in operation 6120 to be receivedthrough the active area, the electronic device may determine whether thetouch input is released in operation 6130. When the touch input isdetermined in operation 6120 to be released (e.g., when the user touchesthe screen with their finger and stops touching), the electronic devicemay execute a function designated depending on the type of the receivedtouch input in operation 6132. For example, when the touch inputcontinues without release for a predetermined time or more, theelectronic device may perform a long press input, and otherwise, a shortpress input. When the touch input is of a multi-input type, theelectronic device may perform multiple inputs.

Unless the touch input is determined in operation 6120 to be released,the electronic device may determine whether a signal from a hall sensor(or a touch input variation outside the active area identified inoperation 6110) is detected in operation 6231.

When no hall sensor signal is determined in operation 6131 to bedetected, the electronic device may perform operation 6130.

When a hall sensor signal is determined in operation 6131 to bedetected, the electronic device may reset the touch input sensingfunction in operation 6140. For example, while the flexible displayslides, the electronic device may disregard touch inputs detected in theactive area identified in operation 6110.

In operation 6150, the electronic device may determine whether there isa variation in recognition of coordinates of a touch outside the activearea identified in operation 6110.

When there is determined in operation 6150 to be no variation inrecognition of coordinates of a touch outside the active area identifiedin operation 6110, e.g., when there is no change in the size of thescreen for a predetermined time, the electronic device may performoperation 6120. For example, there is no change in size for apredetermined time may mean that the screen expands to the maximum orshrinks to the minimum or stops expanding or shrinking in the middle.Before repeating operation 6120, the electronic device may reset thetouch input sensing function in operation 6151, initialize the function(operation 6140) of disregarding touch inputs detected (in operation6120) in the touch area of the active area identified in operation 6110while sliding, receiving an input through a new active area identified,and performing operation 6120 to perform the function depending on thetype of the touch input.

When the recognition of the coordinates of a touch is determined inoperation 6150 to be varied, the electronic device may recalculate thetouch area of the active area in operation 6160.

In operation 6170, the electronic device may determine whether a touchinput made through the flexible display is received from the touch areaof the new active area calculated in operation 6160.

When a touch input is determined in operation 6170 to be received, theelectronic device may perform operation 6140, and if not, operation6150.

FIG. 62 is a view illustrating an example of an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 62, upon performing the operations of FIG. 61, theuser may expand the screen by pressing a portion of the active area 6201a of the flexible display area 6201 disposed on the front surface of theelectronic device 6200 using their finger. With the finger press, atouch input may be created, in which case when the screen expands, theinput may be disregarded as described above in connection with operation6240 of FIG. 62. Conversely, when the user takes the finger off thescreen while there is no screen slide, e.g., when the touch input isreleased as in operation 6230, the electronic device may determine thetype of the touch input and perform the function.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 6200 may determinewhether a user input 6202 is received through the active area 6201 a orreleased and set the touch sensing function on the active area 6201 a.According to an embodiment, when there is a user input 6202 on theactive area 6201 a, the electronic device 6200 may update imagesdisplayed on the screen according to certain embodiments as describedabove. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 6200 may beconfigured to abstain from performing input processing on the flexibledisplay upon updating the screen as per the user input 6202.

FIGS. 63A, 63B, and 63C are views illustrating an example of a screendisplayed when an image capturing function is performed on an electronicdevice with a flexible display according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device 6300 may include aflexible display disposed on the rear surface and a flexible display6301 of which at least a portion is affixed to the flexible displayalong the curved side surface from the front surface of the electronicdevice 6300. For example, as the flexible display moves, at least aportion of the flexible display 6301 may be moved to the front top orbottom of the electronic device 6300.

FIG. 63A is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed when animage capturing function is performed on an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 63A, when a camera application runs on the electronicdevice 6300, an image captured by the camera may be displayed on a firstarea 6310 disposed on the front surface of the electronic device 6300among areas of the flexible display 6301. For example, the first area6310 may have a vertical length (e.g., height) of A and a horizontallength (e.g., width) of B.

According to an embodiment, the housing may include an opening to exposea second area 6320 disposed on the rear surface of the electronic device6300 among the areas of the flexible display 6301. For example, thesecond area 6320 may have a vertical length (e.g., height) of C and ahorizontal length (e.g., width) of D.

According to an embodiment, the second area 6320 may display a capturebutton 6302 and an image corresponding to the vertical-to-horizontalratio (A:B) of the image displayed on the first area 6310. For example,the image displayed on the second area 6320 may have a vertical lengthof C which is the maximum vertical length and a horizontal length of Ewhich corresponds to the ratio of the first area 6310.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 6300 may set the imageon the first area 6310 to have a vertical length of C and a horizontallength of E and display the set image on the second area 6320. Forexample, as the flexible display 6301 displays different screens on thefront surface and the rear surface, the image displayed on the secondarea 6320 may be an inverted image of the image displayed on the firstarea 6310.

According to an embodiment, when at least a portion of the flexibledisplay 6301 disposed on the rear surface is moved to the front surfaceso that the area of the flexible display disposed on the rear surface isshrunken to the minimum, the electronic device 6300 may display not theimage being captured but a pre-designated object (e.g., the capturebutton 6302) on the shrunken area.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 6300 may include anedge display on the top and/or bottom or a dual display structure.According to an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 63A, 63B, and 63C, thescreen displayed on the second area 6320 on the rear surface of theelectronic device 6300 may be changed in resolution or aspect ratio asthe flexible display expands or shrinks. For example, the electronicdevice 6300 may include a DDI, and the area displayed may be a portionof the entire screen area. Since the screen displayed on the frontsurface of the electronic device 6300 is a portion of the entire displayarea, the second area 6320 on the rear surface, albeit not displayed,may be varied in resolution or aspect ratio as the flexible displaymoves.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 6300 may have at leastone part (e.g., a camera or antenna) mounted in the internal space atthe top or bottom, and when the internal space at the bottom is small,an antenna may be provided on the side of the electronic device 6300.

FIG. 63B is a view illustrating an example of an electronic device witha flexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 63B, when the electronic device 6300 of which thescreen expands in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 63C on a thirdparty application that lays out the default screen based on the axiswith a smaller screen resolution and provides a screen rotation by therotation of the set, the vertical-horizontal ratio or size is reversedas per expansion along the vertical direction, i.e., when thevertical-horizontal ratio or size is changed from a vertical length thatis smaller than the horizontal length to a vertical length that islarger than the horizontal length (e.g., such an effect as if thevertical length increases when the electronic device 6300 of which thevertical length is larger than the horizontal length is rotated withoutscreen extension), the 3rd party app displayed on the screen may performthe user's unintended action while rotating to the smaller-resolutionaxis changed regardless of the user's turning action to expand or shrinkthe screen. Accordingly, the vertical-horizontal ratio A:BB of the firstarea 6310 or size may remain the default without inversion despite aresolution change made as the screen expands or shrinks. For example,when the default screen ratio of the first area 6310 and the second area6320 of the electronic device 6300 is 4:4 (vertical:horizontal), thefirst area 6310 and the second area 6320 may be expanded or shrunken inthe direction along which the vertical length remains larger than thehorizontal length (e.g., expands in the direction along which thevertical-horizontal ratio is 16:9 or shrinks vertically up to avertical-horizontal screen ratio of 3:3).

According to an embodiment, the default screen ratio of the first area6310 and the second area 6320 may also mean the active area to display ascreen or the outer edge of the flexible display panel.

According to an embodiment, the second area 6320 may display a capturebutton 6302 and an image corresponding to the vertical-to-horizontalratio (A:B) or size of the image displayed on the first area 6310. Forexample, when the vertical length of the image displayed on the secondarea 6320 is the maximum vertical length C, the horizontal length D ofthe image may be not the maximum horizontal length but E whichcorresponds to the ratio of the first area 6310. As another example,when the vertical length A of the first area 6310 is larger than thehorizontal length B, the image displayed on the second area 6320 mayhave the vertical length C larger than the horizontal length E.

FIG. 64 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed when animage capturing function is performed on an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device 6400 may include aflexible display disposed on the rear surface and a flexible display6401 of which at least a portion is affixed to the flexible displayalong the curved side surface from the front surface of the electronicdevice 6400. For example, as the flexible display moves, at least aportion of the flexible display 6401 may be moved along the side surfaceto the front surface of the electronic device 6400.

Referring to FIG. 64, when a camera application runs on the electronicdevice 6400, an image captured by the camera 6402 or 6403 may bedisplayed on a first area 6410 disposed on the front surface of theelectronic device 6400 among areas of the flexible display 6401. Forexample, the electronic device 6400 may include a flexible display onthe front surface, when at least a portion of the flexible display 6401is fixed. For example, the first area 6410 may have a vertical length(e.g., height) of A and a horizontal length (e.g., width) of B.

According to an embodiment, the flexible display may include an openingto expose a second area 6420 disposed on the rear surface of theelectronic device 6400 among the areas of the flexible display 6401. Forexample, the second area 6420 may display an image corresponding to thevertical-to-horizontal ratio (A:B) or size of the image displayed on thefirst area 6410.

According to an embodiment, the image displayed on the second area 6420may have a vertical length of H and a horizontal length of Gcorresponding to the vertical-horizontal ratio of the image displayed onthe first area 6410, although the entire horizontal length of theelectronic device 6400 is C. For example, as the flexible display 6401displays different screens on the front surface and the rear surface,the image displayed on the second area 6420 may be an inverted image ofthe image displayed on the first area 6410.

According to an embodiment, when at least a portion of the flexibledisplay 6401 disposed on the rear surface is moved along the sidesurface to the front surface so that the front area of the flexibledisplay is expanded to the maximum, the electronic device 6400 maydisplay designated buttons on the expanded third area 6430. For example,the third area 6430 may display buttons to perform designated functionsor capture-related operations in addition to the image displayed on thefirst area 6410.

According to an embodiment, when the electronic device 6400 expandshorizontally, the image may be displayed based on the defaultvertical-horizontal screen ratio or size relation. When the horizontallength B of the first area 6410 of the electronic device 6400 isexpanded to the maximum horizontal length D, the maximum vertical lengthD may be divided into a vertical length of E (e.g., the horizontallength of the expanded first area 6410) which is smaller than thevertical length A and the rest F (e.g., the horizontal length of thethird area 6430) to partition the screen. This may prevent the 3rd partyapp from rotating when the electronic device 6400 expands horizontallyas shown in FIG. 63B. For example, when the default vertical-horizontalscreen ratio of the first area 6410 is 16:9 and the screen ratio becomes4:4 or more as the screen expands horizontally, the screen may bepartitioned to display an image resulting from changing the resolutionof the image before expansion on the 4:less than 4 area (e.g., the firstarea 6410) and buttons for performing the capture-related operations ordesignated operations on the remaining area (e.g., the third area 6430).

FIG. 65 is a flowchart 6500 illustrating an example of performing animage capturing function on an electronic device with a flexible displayaccording to an embodiment. FIG. 65 illustrates an example of performinga capturing function on an electronic device including a flexibledisplay in relation to preventing the screen from rotating when a 3rdparty app is subject to a change in the screen display area by a slideof the electronic device 6400.

Referring to FIG. 65, in operation 6510, an electronic device (e.g., theelectronic device 101 of FIG. 1 or the electronic device 301 of FIG. 3)(e.g., the processor 120 or 310 of the electronic device) may identifywhether the default screen displayed through a running application(e.g., a camera application) is laid out based on the minor axis ormajor axis.

When the default screen of the application is identified in operation6510 to be laid out based on the minor or major axis, the electronicdevice may identify whether the screen display area is increased ordecreased by a slide of the electronic device 6400 in operation 6520,and unless the screen display are increased or decreased, the electronicdevice may repeat operation 6510.

Unless the default screen of the application is identified in operation6510 to be laid out based on the minor or major axis, the electronicdevice may perform operation 6521, and when there is no set rotation,the electronic device may repeat operation 6510. When there is a setrotation, the electronic device may switch to vertical or horizontalview mode (e.g., portrait or landscape mode) in operation 6531.

When the screen display area is increased or decreased resulting in achange in resolution in operation 6520, and the minor-major axis ratioor size of the increased or decreased screen display area is reversed inoperation 6522, the electronic device may deliver a default screenlayout reference change to the application and a resolution suited forthe increased or decreased screen display area to the application inoperation 6523, receive changed default screen layout reference andresolution data from the application and display in operation 6540.

If the minor-major axis ratio or size of the increased or decreasedscreen display area are not changed or reversed in operation 6522, theelectronic device may perform operation 6532 to deliver a resolutionsuited for the increased or decreased screen display area to theapplication and perform operation 6540 to receive changed resolutiondata and display.

When there is a set rotation in operation 6521, the electronic devicemay change the application into the landscape view mode or portrait viewmode fitting the rotating direction of the set and perform operation6531.

FIG. 66A is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed when animage capturing function is performed on an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment. FIG. 66B is a viewillustrating an example of a screen displayed when a messengerapplication is executed on an electronic device with a flexible displayaccording to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 66A and 66B, according to an embodiment, anelectronic device 6600 including a flexible display may display a rearscreen when the 3rd party app is one that lays out its default screenbased on the minor axis B which is smaller in screen resolution and doesnot provide screen rotation by set rotation as shown in FIG. 63B. Forexample, as the front screen 6601 on the front surface 6610 of thedisplay expands vertically, the rear surface 6620 on the rear surface6621 of the display may shrink vertically, and the electronic device6600 may decrease the vertical resolution of the pre-extension rearscreen and display the resolution-changed screen 6630. A functionalbutton 6602, such as a home key or camera capture button, may bedisplayed on the rear surface 6620 on the rear surface 6621.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device 6600 including aflexible display may display a rear screen when the 3rd party app is onethat lays out its default screen based on the minor axis B which issmaller in screen resolution and does not provide screen rotation by setrotation as shown in FIG. 63B. For example, as the front screen 6601 onthe front surface 6610 of the display expands vertically, the displayrear screen 6640 on the rear surface 6641 of the display may shrinkvertically, and the electronic device 6600 may decrease the verticalresolution of the pre-extension rear screen and display theresolution-changed screen 6650. For example, a messenger executionwindow may be displayed on the display rear screen 6640, and when thedisplay rear screen 6640 is the messenger execution window and thedisplay rear screen 6640 shrinks, a portion of the messengerconversation screen may be cut off without a change in resolution.

FIG. 67 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed when animage capturing function is performed on an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 67, e.g.,a camera application may be laid out based on the major axis of the setscreen ratio.

According to an embodiment, a certain application of the electronicdevice 6700 (e.g., a camera preview application) may detect a variationin the major axis of the display resolution ratio and determine thescreen view mode.

According to an embodiment, such an application may change the screenratio. For example, the variable display resolution ratio (or screendisplay area ratio the application adopts) in the exposed area may bedesigned to have the Y axis resolution larger than the X axisresolution. According to an embodiment, when a change is made to themajor axis (e.g., Y axis→X axis) due to a change in the exposed screen,a screen processing method may utilize association with the existingscreen or change to another screen.

According to an embodiment, when the flexible display shrinks in screen6720 from an original size shown in screen 6710, the settings or activearea ratio may indicate that A (e.g., a height) is larger than B (e.g.,a width) for the front surface. Similarly, when the flexible displayexpands, such as in screen 6720 to screen 6730, the settings or activearea ratio may indicate A (height) is larger than D (e.g., a new width)for the front surface, and D (the new width) is larger than C (theprevious width. When an application whose view mode is changed based onthe screen ratio is used for the rear surface, the rear surface mayremain H>G or C. When there is no application utilizing a view modeswitch based on the ratio, the rear surface ratio is utilized to be morethan the minimum one among resolutions supported by the applicationused.

Various embodiments of multi-screen configurations are described belowwith reference to FIGS. 68 to 71. In FIGS. 45 to 48, App(A) may refer toa prior application executed and displayed, and App(B) may refer to anew application executed and displayed.

FIG. 68 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 68, an electronic device 6800 may display a screen ofan application A running through a first area 6810 of a flexible display6801. For example, application A may provide a screen in a designatedaspect ratio and detect the orientation (e.g., landscape or portraitorientation) of the electronic device 6800 to set its screenconfiguration in a landscape view or portrait view mode.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 6800 may identify thatan event related to application B occurs while application A is running,and within a designated time, the flexible display 6801 of theelectronic device 6800 is moved. For example, at least a portion of thedisplay area of the flexible display disposed on the rear surface may bemoved to the front surface, expanding the screen area displayable on thefront surface.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 6800 may display ascreen of application B on a left portion 6820 of the expanded displayarea. According to an embodiment, while both the screen of application Aand the screen of application B are displayed, the electronic device maydetect the movement of the flexible display.

According to an embodiment, as the flexible display moves, a portion ofthe flexible display disposed on the front surface may be moved to therear surface. For example, the electronic device 6800 may set the screenof application B corresponding to the size of the expanded portion 6830,except for the portion moved to the rear surface, of the front displayarea of the flexible display and display the screen on the left portion6830. According to an embodiment, when the left portion 6830 is asmaller size than a preset size, the electronic device may display,e.g., a taskbar to indicate the execution state of the application, onthe left portion 6830.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 6800 may detect itsrotating from the landscape to portrait orientation. For example, theelectronic device 6800 may change the aspect ratio of the screendisplayed in the portrait orientation to configure the screen in aportrait view mode.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 6800 may configure anddisplay the screens of application A and application B in the portraitview mode on the fourth area 6840 and the fifth area 6850 to which thefirst area 6810 and the left portion (e.g., a second area) 6820 havebeen changed in aspect ratio.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 6800 in the portraitorientation may detect the movement of the flexible display whileapplication A and application B are being displayed. For example, theelectronic device 6800 may display application A on the fourth area 6840of the entire front area, and application B on the fifth area 6850 ofthe entire front area.

According to an embodiment, while both the screen of application A andthe screen of application B are displayed, the electronic device maydetect the movement of the flexible display. According to an embodiment,as the flexible display moves, a portion of the flexible displaydisposed on the front surface may be moved to the rear surface. Forexample, the electronic device 6800 may set the screen of application Bcorresponding to the size of the expanded portion (or bottom portion)6860, except for the portion moved to the rear surface, of the frontdisplay area of the flexible display and display the screen on thebottom portion 6860. According to an embodiment, when the top portion isa smaller size than a preset size, the electronic device may display,e.g., a taskbar to indicate the execution state of the application, onthe top portion.

FIG. 69 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 69, an electronic device 6900 may display a screen ofan application A running through a first area 6910 of a flexible display6901. For example, application A may provide a screen in a designatedaspect ratio and detect the orientation (e.g., landscape or portraitorientation) of the electronic device 6900 to set its screenconfiguration in a landscape view or portrait view mode.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 6900 may identify thatan event related to application B occurs while application A is running,and within a designated time, the flexible display 6901 of theelectronic device 6900 is moved. For example, at least a portion of thedisplay area of the flexible display disposed on the rear surface may bemoved to the front surface, expanding the screen area displayable on thefront surface.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 6900 may display ascreen of application B on the bottom portion 6920 of the expandeddisplay area. According to an embodiment, while both the screen ofapplication A and the screen of application B are displayed, theelectronic device may detect the movement of the flexible display.

According to an embodiment, as the flexible display moves, a portion ofthe flexible display disposed on the front surface may be moved to therear surface. For example, the electronic device 6900 may set the screenof application B corresponding to the size of the expanded area 6930,except for the portion moved to the rear surface, of the front displayarea of the flexible display and display the screen on the expanded area(e.g., a bottom portion) 6930. According to an embodiment, when theexpanded area 6930 is a smaller size than a preset size, the electronicdevice may display, e.g., a taskbar to indicate the execution state ofthe application, on the expanded area 6930.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 6900 may detect itsrotating from the portrait to landscape orientation. For example, theelectronic device 6900 may change the aspect ratio of the screendisplayed in the portrait orientation to configure the screen in alandscape view mode.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 6900 may configure anddisplay the screens of application A and application B in the landscapeview mode on the fourth area 6940 and the fifth area 6960 to which thefirst area 6910 and the second area (e.g., a bottom portion) 6920 havebeen changed in aspect ratio.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 6900 in the landscapeorientation may detect the movement of the flexible display whileapplication A and application B are being displayed. For example, theelectronic device 6900 may display the first application on the fiftharea of the entire front area and the second application on the sixtharea 6950.

According to an embodiment, while both the screen of application A andthe screen of application B are displayed, the electronic device maydetect the movement of the flexible display. According to an embodiment,as the flexible display moves, a portion of the flexible displaydisposed on the front surface may be moved to the rear surface. Forexample, the electronic device 6900 may set the screen of application Bcorresponding to the size of the expanded portion, except for theportion moved to the rear surface, on the front display area of theflexible display, and display the screen on the left portion 6960.According to an embodiment, when the right portion 6940 is a smallersize than a preset size, the electronic device may display, e.g., ataskbar to indicate the execution state of the application, on the leftportion 6960.

FIG. 70 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 70, an electronic device 7000 may display a screen ofan application A running through a first area 7010 of a flexible display7001. For example, application A may provide both a landscape andportrait screen configuration according to the orientation (e.g.,landscape or portrait orientation) of the electronic device 7000.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 7000 may identify thatan event related to application B occurs while application A is running,and within a designated time, the flexible display of the electronicdevice 7000 is moved. For example, a portion of the rear area of theflexible display may be moved to the front surface. Application B mayprovide both a landscape and portrait screen configuration according tothe orientation (e.g., landscape or portrait orientation) of theelectronic device 7000.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 7000 may display thescreen of application B in the landscape view mode on the second screenarea 7020 among the screen areas including the moved area and the screenof application A in the portrait view mode on the third screen area7030. For example, in the landscape orientation, the electronic device7000 may set the screen of applications B and A in the landscape viewmode, change the resolution, and display them on the second screen area7020 and the third screen area 7030.

According to an embodiment, in the portrait orientation or upondetecting the rotation from the landscape to portrait orientation, theelectronic device 7000 may detect the movement of the flexible displayand display the screen of application B in the portrait view mode on thefourth screen area 7040 among the screen areas including the moved areaand the screen of application A in the portrait view mode on the fifthscreen area 7050. For example, the electronic device 7000 may set thescreen of application B in the portrait view mode, change the screenresolution of applications B and A, and display them on the fourthscreen area 7040 and the fifth screen area 7050.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 7000 in the portraitorientation may configure and display the screen of application A thatis running, in the portrait view mode on the sixth area 7060 of theflexible display 7001. For example, the electronic device 7000 in theportrait orientation may identify that an event related to application Boccurs while application A is running, and the flexible display of theelectronic device 7000 is moved.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 7000 in the portraitorientation may detect the movement of the sliding part whileapplication A and application B are being displayed. For example, as theflexible display moves, a portion of the rear area of the flexibledisplay may be moved to the front surface.

According to an embodiment, when the flexible display 7001 moves toexpand in a designated size, the electronic device 7000 may display thescreen of application B on a seventh area 7070 at a designatedresolution. For example, the electronic device 7000 may set and displaythe screen of application A on an eighth area 7080, corresponding to thesize of the eighth area 7080 except for the seventh area 7070 among thedisplay areas including the expanded area. According to an embodiment,when the eighth area (e.g., an eighth portion) 7080 is a smaller sizethan a preset size, the electronic device may display, e.g., a taskbarto indicate the execution state of the application, on the eighthportion 7080.

FIG. 71 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 71, an electronic device 7100 in the landscapeorientation may display, in the portrait view mode, a screen of anapplication A running through a first area 7110 of a flexible display7101. For example, application A may be set to a designated resolutionof a designated aspect ratio and provide a landscape or portrait screenconfiguration according to the orientation (e.g., landscape or portraitorientation) of the electronic device 7100.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 7100 may identify thatan event related to application B occurs while application A is running,and within a designated time, the flexible display of the electronicdevice 7100 is moved. For example, at least a portion of the rear areaof the flexible display may be moved to the front surface. Application Bmay have a designated resolution of a designated aspect ratio andprovide a landscape or portrait screen configuration according to theorientation (e.g., landscape or portrait orientation) of the electronicdevice 7100.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 7100 may maintain thescreen of application A displayed on the first area 7110 in the portraitview mode and set and display the screen of application B on the secondarea 7120 in the portrait view mode.

According to an embodiment, upon detecting a rotating of the electronicdevice 7100 from the landscape to portrait orientation, the electronicdevice 7100 may display the screen of application A on the third area7130, i.e., the first area 7110 in the portrait orientation and thescreen of application B on the fourth area 7140, i.e., the second area7120 in the landscape orientation.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 7100 in the portraitorientation may detect the movement of the flexible display whiledisplaying the screen of the running first application on the third area7130 in the portrait orientation and may maintain the screen ofapplication A displayed on the third area 7130 in the portrait view modewhile displaying the screen of application B on the moved fourth area7140 in the landscape view mode. For example, the electronic device 7100in the portrait orientation may detect the movement of the flexibledisplay while application A and application B are being displayed. Forexample, as the flexible display moves, a portion of the front area ofthe flexible display may be moved to the rear surface.

According to an embodiment, when the flexible display 7101 moves toshrink in a designated size, the electronic device 7100 may display thescreen of application A on the fifth area 7150 at a designatedresolution.

For example, the electronic device 7100 may set and display the screenof application B on the sixth area 7160, corresponding to the size ofthe sixth area 7160 except for the fifth area 7150 among the shrunkendisplay areas. According to an embodiment, when the sixth area 7160 is asmaller size than a preset size, the electronic device may display,e.g., a taskbar to indicate the execution state of the application, onthe sixth area 7160.

FIG. 72 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 72, an electronic device 7200 in the landscapeorientation may display a screen of a video playing application which isrunning through a first area 7210 of a flexible display 7201. Forexample, the video playing application may be an application to outputvideo content set to be displayed at a designated resolution and in thelandscape view mode.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 7200 may identify thatan event (e.g., displaying a notification message 7221) related to amessaging application occurs while the video playing application isrunning, and within a designated time, the flexible display moves toexpand to move to the front surface.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 7200 may display thenotification message 7221 on the second area 7220.

FIG. 73 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 73, an electronic device 7300 in the portraitorientation may display a screen of a web browser application which isrunning through a first area 7310 of a flexible display 7301. Forexample, the web browser application may be an application that isdisplayed at a resolution set depending on the screen area where it isdisplayed.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 7300 may identify thatan event (e.g., receiving a notification message) related to a messagingapplication occurs while the web browser application is running, andwithin a designated time, the flexible display moves to expand to allowa second area 7320 to be moved to the front surface.

According to an embodiment, as the messaging application is identifiedas supporting the portrait view mode and set to be displayed at apre-designated resolution, the electronic device 7300 may display thescreen of the messaging application on the first area 7330 correspondingto the resolution of the messaging application.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 7300 may reset, anddisplay on the second area 7320, the screen of the web browserapplication in the landscape view mode corresponding to the size of thesecond area 7320 moved and expanded to the front surface.

FIG. 74 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displayed on anelectronic device with a flexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 74, an electronic device 7400 in the portraitorientation may display a screen of a web browser application which isrunning through a first area 7410 of a flexible display 7401. Forexample, the web browser application may be an application that isdisplayed at a resolution set depending on the screen area where it isdisplayed. According to an embodiment, a search window 7411 for textentry may be displayed on the screen of the web browser application.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 7400 may identify thatwhile the web browser application is running, the flexible display movesto expand to allow a second area 7420 to be moved to the front surface.According to an embodiment, when the user selects the search window7411, a keypad for text entry may be displayed, and as the screen areavarying, be displayed on the expanded second area 7420.

Since the keypad (as displayed in screen area 7420) may be easy to usewhen disposed at the bottom of the electronic device 7400, the keypadmay remain in the fixed position although the flexible display isfurther expanded to change the position of display of the web browserapplication as shown on the right. For example, according to anembodiment, as the flexible display expands, a change may be made to thecoordinates of the second area 7420. The position of display of thekeypad may be updated to be displayed on the changed area of the entirearea of the flexible display considering the movement of the flexibledisplay.

FIG. 75 is a block diagram 7500 illustrating a program 140 according toan embodiment. According to an embodiment, the program 140 may includean operating system (OS) 142 to control one or more resources of theelectronic device 101, middleware 144, or an application 146 executableon the OS 142. The OS 142 may include, for example, Android™, iOS™,Windows™, Symbian™, Tizen™, or Bada™. At least part of the program 140may be pre-loaded on the electronic device 101, e.g., upon manufacture,or may be downloaded or updated by an external electronic device (e.g.,the electronic device 102 or 104 or the server 108) in a user's useenvironment.

The OS 142 may control (e.g., allocate or recover) system resources(e.g., the processor, memory, or power source) of the electronic device101. The OS 142, additionally or alternatively, may include one or moredriver programs to drive other hardware devices of the electronic device101, for example, the input device 150, the sound output device 155, thedisplay device 160, the audio module 170, the sensor module 176, theinterface 177, the haptic module 179, the camera module 180, the powermanagement module 188, the battery 189, the communication module 290,the subscriber identification module 296, or the antenna module 297.

The middleware 144 may provide various functions to the application 146so that the application 146 may use functions or information providedfrom one or more resources of the electronic device 101. The middleware144 may include, for example, an application manager 7501, a windowmanager 7503, a multimedia manager 7505, a resource manager 7507, apower manager 7509, a database manager 7511, a package manager 7513, aconnectivity manager 7515, a notification manager 7517, a locationmanager 7519, a graphic manager 7521, a security manager 7523, atelephony manager 7525, or a voice recognition manager 7526. Theapplication manager 7501 may manage the life cycle of, e.g., theapplications 146. The window manager 7503 may manage, e.g., GUIresources used on the screen. The multimedia manager 7505 may grasp,e.g., formats necessary to play media files and use a codec appropriatefor a format to perform encoding or decoding on media files. Theresource manager 7507 may manage, e.g., the source code or memory spaceof the application 146. The power manager 7509 may manage, e.g., thecapacity, temperature, or power of the battery and determine and providepower information necessary for the operation of the electronic device101 using a corresponding piece of information of such. According to anembodiment of the disclosure, the power manager 7509 may interwork witha basic input/output system (BIOS).

The database manager 7511 may generate, search, or vary a database to beused in the applications 146. The package manager 7513 may manage, e.g.,installation or update of an application that is distributed in the formof a package file. The connectivity manager 7515 may manage, e.g.,wireless or wired connection between the electronic device 101 and anexternal electronic device. The notification manager 7517 may provide,e.g., a function for notifying a user of an event (e.g., a call,message, or alert) that occurs. The location manager 7519, for example,may manage locational information on the electronic device 101. Thegraphic manager 7521 may manage graphic effects to be offered to theuser and their related user interface. The security manager 7523 mayprovide system security or user authentication, for example. Thetelephony manager 7525 may manage, e.g., a voice call or video callfunction of the electronic device 101. The voice recognition manager7527 may transmit, e.g., a user's voice data to the server 108 andreceive a command corresponding to a function to be executed on theelectronic device 101 based on the voice data or text data convertedbased on the voice data. According to an embodiment, the middleware 7544may dynamically delete some existing components or add new components.According to an embodiment, at least part of the middleware 144 may beincluded as part of the OS 142 or may be implemented in separatesoftware from the OS 142.

The application 146 may include, e.g., an application, such as a home7551, a dialer 7553, an SMS/MMS 7555, an instant message (IM) 7557, abrowser 7559, a camera 7561, an alarm 7563, a contact 7565, a voicerecognition 7567, an email 7569, a calendar 7571, a media player 7573,an album 7575, or a clock 7577, a health 7579 (e.g., measuring thedegree of workout or blood sugar), or environmental information 7581(e.g., air pressure, moisture, or temperature information). According toan embodiment, the application 146 may further include an informationexchanging application (not shown) that is capable of supportinginformation exchange between the electronic device 101 and the externalelectronic device. The information exchange application may include,e.g., a notification relay application for transferring designatedinformation (e.g., a call, message, or alert) to the external electronicdevice or a device management application for managing the externalelectronic device. The notification relay application may transfernotification information corresponding to an event (e.g., receipt of anemail) that occurs at another application (e.g., the email application7569) of the electronic device 101 to the external electronic device, orthe notification relay application may receive notification informationfrom the external electronic device and provide the notificationinformation to a user of the electronic device 101. The devicemanagement application may control the power (e.g., turn-on or turn-off)or the function (e.g., adjustment of brightness, resolution, or focus)of the external electronic device or some component thereof (e.g., adisplay device or a camera module of the external electronic device).The device management application, additionally or alternatively, maysupport installation, delete, or update of an application running on theexternal electronic device.

FIG. 76 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an electronicdevice according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 76, axes X, Y, andZ, respectively, may refer to the width, length, and height direction ofthe electronic device. The Z axis may also correspond to the thicknessof the electronic device. Referring to FIG. 76, according to anembodiment, an electronic device 7600 (e.g., the electronic device 101of FIG. 1, the electronic device 301 of FIG. 3, or the electronic device1700 or 1800 of FIG. 17A or 17B, 18A, or 18B) may include a flexibledisplay 7610, a main bracket 7620 (e.g., the second housing or mainbracket 1714 of FIG. 17A or 17B, the main bracket 1810 of FIG. 18A or18B, a printed circuit board 7630, a rear bracket 7640, a rear window7650 (e.g., the rear window 1790 in the electronic device 1700 of FIG.17A), an upper supporting rail 7661 (e.g., the upper supporting rail1713 of FIG. 17A or the upper rail 1890 of FIG. 18A), an uppersupporting rail fixing part 7661 a (e.g., the upper supporting railfixing part 1713 a of FIG. 17A), a roller 7662 (e.g., the roller 1860 ofFIG. 18A), a lower supporting rail 7664 (e.g., the lower supporting rail1780 of FIG. 17A or the lower rail 1820 of FIG. 18A), a lower supportingrail fixing part 7664 a (e.g., the lower supporting rail fixing part1780 a of FIG. 17A), a back bracket 7670 (e.g., the bracket of FIG. 17Aor the first housing 1850 of FIG. 18), a roller 7662 (e.g., the roller1860 of FIG. 18A), a multi-bar structure 7663 (e.g., the multi-hinge ormulti-bar structure 1840 of FIG. 18A), and a back window 7680 (e.g., therigid glass 1760 of FIG. 17A).

The flexible display 7610 may include a first surface 7611, a secondsurface 7612, and a third surface 7613. According to an embodiment, thescreen display area may be varied based on the area of exposure. Thefirst surface 7611 and the third surface 7613 may form flat surfaces,and the second surface 7612 may form a bent surface.

A portion of the first surface 7611 of the flexible display 7610 may beattached to the main bracket 7620, and the second surface 7612 may beattached to the multi-bar structure 7663, and a portion of the thirdsurface may be attached to the lower supporting rail 7664. According toan embodiment, when the flexible display 7610 expands or shrinks, themain bracket 7620 may be guided and moved through the upper supportingrail 7661. The main bracket 7620 includes a first flat plate 7621including a first surface and a second surface facing away from thefirst surface. According to an embodiment, the main bracket 7620 may beconnected to a side of the multi-bar structure 7663 connected with atleast the second surface 7612 of the flexible display 7610, and as thedisplayed screen expands or shrinks, the screen connected with themulti-bar structure 7663 may be exposed or shrunken.

The upper supporting rail 7661 may support the multi-bar structure 7663when the flexible display 7610 expands, and the upper supporting rail7661 and the upper supporting rail fixing part 7661 a may be integrallyformed with each other or be guided and slid by the upper supportingrail fixing part 7661 a. The upper supporting rail fixing part 7661 amay be connected and affixed to the lower supporting rail fixing part7664 a provided in the lower supporting rail 7664.

The roller 7662 may guide the multi-bar structure 7663 in apredetermined radius or support the multi-bar structure 7663 and may beconnected to the upper supporting rail 7661. The multi-bar structure7663 may include multiple straight bars and support at least the secondsurface 7612 of the flexible display 7610. One end of the multi-barstructure 7663 may be connected to the lower supporting rail 7664, andthe opposite end may be connected to the main bracket 7620.

The lower supporting rail 7664 may support the third surface 7613 of theflexible display 7610 and, when the flexible display 7610 expands, beslid to allow the screen to be expanded by the multi-bar structure 7663.The lower supporting rail 7664 may be configured as a separate part fromthe lower supporting rail fixing part 7664 a, and the lower supportingrail 7664 may be affixed to the main bracket 7620 to be slid.

The back bracket 7670 may be configured to surround the main bracket7620, the lower supporting rail 7664, and the multi-bar structure 7663and may have a space formed at the bottom to receive an antenna or otherelectrical parts in a space not overlapping with the multi-bar structure7663. The back bracket 7670 includes a second flat plate 7671 facing thesecond surface of the first flat plate 7621 and forming a space towardsthe second surface. According to an embodiment, the back bracket 7670may provide a support for the back window 7680 to protect the thirdsurface 7613 of the flexible display 7610. The back window 7680 may beconfigured to protect the third surface 7613 of the flexible display7610, and unless utilized to display information on the third surface7613, be formed of a material that does not transmit light. The backwindow 7680 and the back bracket 7670 may be formed of a single part.According to an embodiment, when utilized to display information on thethird surface 7613, the back window 7680 may be formed of alight-transmitting material.

The printed circuit board 7630 allows at least one part to be mountedthereon and may be disposed on the main bracket 7620. The rear bracket7640 may protect the rear surface of the printed circuit board 7630 andprovide a space to mount the rear window 7650. The rear window 7650 mayprotect the rear bracket 7640.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device may comprise a firststructure including a first flat plate including a first surface and asecond surface facing away from the first surface, a second structureincluding a second flat plate facing the second surface of the firstflat plate, a first side wall perpendicular to the second flat plate, asecond side wall perpendicular to the second flat plate, and a thirdside wall perpendicular to the first side wall and the second flat plateand parallel with the second side wall, and a flexible touchscreendisplay layer. The second flat plate, the first side wall, the secondside wall, and the third side wall may together form a trough with aside opening to receive at least a portion of the first structure. Thefirst structure may be movable between the closed position and the openposition in relation to the second structure in a first directionparallel to the second flat plate and the second side wall. The firststructure may be a first distance away from the first side wall in theclosed position and be a second distance away from the first side wallin the open position, the second distance being larger than the firstdistance. The display layer may include a flat part mounted on the firstsurface and expanding across at least a portion of the first surface anda bend expanding from the flat part to the space between the first sidewall and the first structure in the closed position. When the firststructure moves from the closed position to the open state, at least aportion of the bend is pulled from the space to form a substantiallyflat surface between the flat part and the first side wall as viewedfrom above the first flat plate.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further include ashaft positioned in the trough, coupled with the second structure, andexpanding away from the first side wall by a gap in a second directionperpendicular to the first direction and an expandable supportingstructure positioned adjacent the first side wall, coupled with asurrounding of the first side wall, and bendingly expanded to the spacearound the shaft in the closed position, when the first structure movesfrom the closed position to the open state, at least a portion of thesupporting structure may be pulled from the space to form asubstantially flat surface between the first structure and the firstside wall as viewed from above the first flat plate, and such that thebend of the display layer may be coupled with the supporting structure.

According to an embodiment, the supporting structure may include aplurality of bars coupled together in parallel with each other andexpanding in the second direction.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further include aguiding structure attached to the second flat plate in the trough andconfigured to guide at least one guiding component coupled with thesupporting structure.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further include aprinted circuit board (PCB) coupled with the first structure, aprocessor affixed to the PCB and operatively connected with the displaylayer, and a memory affixed to the PCB and operatively connected withthe processor.

According to an embodiment, the first flat plate may include a firstarea, and the second flat plate may include a second area smaller thanthe first area

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further include athird flat plate coupled with the first structure to position the PCBbetween the second surface and the third flat plate.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further include apiezoelectric speaker between the third flat plate and the secondsurface of the first structure.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further include amember coupled with the second structure in the trough and having aselected capacitance, such that the memory may store instructionsexecuted to enable the processor to receive coordinates on the displaylayer, which are closest to the member from the display layer anddetermine the position of the first structure between the closedposition and the open position at least partially based on thecoordinates.

According to an embodiment, in the closed position, the bend of thedisplay layer may be further expanded to a space between the secondsurface of the first structure and the second flat plate of the secondstructure.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further include adisplay drive integrated circuit (DDI) affixed to the bend of thedisplay layer to be positioned between the first structure and the bendin the closed position.

Each of the aforementioned components of the electronic device mayinclude one or more parts, and a name of the part may vary with a typeof the electronic device. The electronic device in accordance withcertain embodiments of the disclosure may include at least one of theaforementioned components, omit some of them, or include anotheradditional component(s). Some of the components may be combined into anentity, but the entity may perform the same functions as the componentsmay do.

FIGS. 77A and 77B are views illustrating an example of a method forprocessing an image on a screen displayed on an electronic device with aflexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 77A and 77B, to process and display images on thescreen depending on the area of exposure of the flexible display 2901 or3101 of the electronic device 2900 or 3100 as shown in FIGS. 29 and 31,the application processor (e.g., the processor 120 of FIG. 1) may obtaindisplay resolutions currently supportable from the display driver IC(e.g., the display driver IC or DDI 230 of FIG. 2) in operation 7702.For example, the application processor may receive, e.g., the maximumresolution, minimum resolution, and current resolution from the displaydriver IC. In operation 7704, upon identifying a user input for runningthe application through an input device (e.g., the touch circuitry 250of FIG. 2), the application processor may perform operation 7706. Inoperation 7706, the application processor may receive information aboutan application to be executed corresponding to the user input from astorage device (e.g., the memory 130 of FIG. 1) and execute theapplication. When the application is executed in operation 7706, theapplication may receive a resolution currently supported for the displayfrom the application processor in operation 7708, and the applicationmay deliver screen information of a supportable resolution closest tothe obtained display-supported resolution to the application processorin operation 7710. Upon receiving the screen information in operation7710, the application processor may perform modulation (e.g., conversionto fit the MIPI specifications) on the screen information and transferthe resultant information to the display driver IC in operation 7712.The display driver IC may perform image processing (e.g., what is shownin FIG. 42A) in operation 7714 and transfers the processed image to thepanel (e.g., the display 210 of FIG. 2) to display the screen inoperation 7716. Thereafter, when the screen resolution is changed afterthe screen display, the display driver IC may transfer the changedresolution to the application processor in operation 7718, and theapplication processor may perform operation 7720. In operation 7720, theapplication processor may identify whether the current operating system(OS, e.g., Android) may support the changed resolution received inoperation 7718. When the currently running application supports theresolution, the application processor may transfer the changedresolution to the application currently running in operation 7722. Inoperation 7224, the application may determine whether the receivedresolution is supported. In some embodiments, when the resolution issupported, the image may be adjusted to utilize the changed resolution(e.g., operation 7712-7714). In some embodiments, when the resolution isnot supported by the application, a closest supported resolution may beused (e.g., as related to operation 7710).

The term ‘module’ may refer to a unit including one of hardware,software, and firmware, or a combination thereof. The term ‘module’ maybe interchangeably used with a unit, logic, logical block, component, orcircuit. The module may be a minimum unit or part of an integratedcomponent. The module may be a minimum unit or part of performing one ormore functions. The module may be implemented mechanically orelectronically. For example, the module may include at least one ofapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chips, field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs), or programmable logic arrays (PLAs) that performsome operations, which have already been known or will be developed inthe future.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, at least a part of thedevice (e.g., modules or their functions) or method (e.g., operations)may be implemented as instructions stored in a computer-readable storagemedium e.g., in the form of a program module. The instructions, whenexecuted by a processor (e.g., the processor 120), may enable theprocessor to carry out a corresponding function. The computer-readablestorage medium may be e.g., the memory 130.

The computer-readable storage medium may include a hardware device, suchas hard discs, floppy discs, and magnetic tapes (e.g., a magnetic tape),optical media such as compact disc ROMs (CD-ROMs) and digital versatilediscs (DVDs), magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, ROMs, RAMs,flash memories, and/or the like. Examples of the program instructionsmay include not only machine language codes but also high-level languagecodes which are executable by various computing means using aninterpreter. The aforementioned hardware devices may be configured tooperate as one or more software modules to carry out example embodimentsof the disclosure, and vice versa.

Modules or programming modules in accordance with certain embodiments ofthe disclosure may include at least one or more of the aforementionedcomponents, omit some of them, or further include other additionalcomponents. Operations performed by modules, programming modules orother components in accordance with certain embodiments of thedisclosure may be carried out sequentially, simultaneously, repeatedly,or heuristically. Furthermore, some of the operations may be performedin a different order, or omitted, or include other additionaloperation(s).

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided astorage medium storing instructions configured to be executed by atleast one processor to enable the at least one processor to perform atleast one operation that may include determining the resizing of ascreen exposed in a first direction on a first surface of a flexibledisplay at least partially affixed to a second housing as a firsthousing and the second housing slide over each other, determiningwhether the screen resizing meets a designated resolution changecondition, and unless the screen resizing is determined to meet thedesignated resolution change condition, controlling to perform adesignated image process on a screen area expanded or shrunken as perthe resizing of the screen exposed in the first direction, such that thefirst housing and the second housing are slide-engaged with each otherwhile at least partially overlapping with each other, and such that asthe first housing and the second housing slide over each other toshrink, at least a portion of the flexible display is retracted insidethe first housing.

As is apparent from the foregoing description, according to certainembodiments, an electronic device with a flexible display and a methodfor controlling the display on the electronic device may provide theuser with easy-to-use UIs or UXs by performing predetermined imageprocessing or rearrangement on the resized screen area in variouscircumstances where the flexible display screen is resized.

The embodiments disclosed herein are proposed for description andunderstanding of the disclosed technology and does not limit thedisclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure should be interpreted asincluding all changes or certain embodiments based on the technicalaspects of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: a firsthousing; a second housing that is movable relative to and over the firsthousing and at least partially overlapping the first housing; a flexibledisplay at least partially mounted on the second housing and at leastpartially visually exposed to an exterior of the electronic device,wherein the flexible display is insertable into an interior of the firsthousing based on the second housing moving relative to the first housingin a first direction, and removable from the interior of the firsthousing based on the second housing moving relative to the first housingin a second direction; a memory; and at least one processor coupled tothe flexible display and the memory, wherein the memory storesinstructions configured to, when executed, cause the at least oneprocessor to: display a first screen on a first display area of theflexible display, detect movement of the second housing relative to thefirst housing in one of the first direction or the second direction,based on the movement of the second housing being detected in the seconddirection, initiate displaying a gradation effect on at least a portionof a second display area of a total display area that is resized basedon the movement of the second housing while maintaining the displayingof the first screen on the first display area, such that at least theportion of the second display area is visually differentiated from thefirst display area, wherein the resized total display area includes thefirst display area and the second display area, and wherein the seconddisplay area corresponds to a moving distance of the second housing andcorresponds to a portion of the flexible display moved from the interiorof the first housing and exposed to the exterior of the first housingaccording to the movement of the second housing in the second direction,and based on a size of the resized total display area being greater thanor equal to a predetermined size, stop the displaying of the gradationeffect, and display the first screen of which a resolution is changed onthe resized total display area.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the instructions are further configured to, when executed, causethe at least one processor to overlay a designated masking layer onto atleast a portion of the resized total display area.
 3. The electronicdevice of claim 2, wherein the designated masking layer is generated byapplying a first alpha blending value to a first area of the resizeddisplay area that is exposed to the exterior of the electronic device,and applying a second alpha blending value to a second area of theresized display area inserted into the interior of the first housing. 4.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are furtherconfigured to, when executed, cause the at least one processor to: whenthe second housing moves in the second direction such that the totaldisplay area is expanded from an original size prior to moving thesecond housing: identify the second display area corresponding to themoving distance of the second housing, determine an information type tobe displayed on the second display area, and display particularinformation on the second display area based on the determinedinformation type.
 5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein theinformation type includes at least one of a text or an icon.
 6. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are furtherconfigured to, when executed, cause the at least one processor to: whiledisplaying an execution screen of a first application on the displayarea of the flexible display, detect an event corresponding to a secondapplication, display information related to the event, the displayedinformation overlapping at least a portion of the execution screen,determine an aspect ratio of the resized display area of the flexibledisplay, and at least partially adjust at least one of the displayedinformation or the execution screen based on the determined aspectratio.
 7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the instructions arefurther configured to, when executed, cause the at least one processorto: determine an aspect ratio for the resized display area based onwhether the electronic device is operating in a landscape view mode or aportrait view mode.
 8. An electronic device, comprising: a firsthousing; a second housing that is movable relative to the first housingand over the first housing and at least partially overlapping the firsthousing; a flexible display at least partially mounted on second housingand at least partially visually exposed to an exterior of the electronicdevice, wherein the flexible display insertable into an interior of thefirst housing based on the second housing moving relative to the firsthousing in a first direction, and removable from the interior of thefirst housing based on the second housing moving relative to the firsthousing in a second direction; at least one processor; and a memory,wherein the memory stores instructions configured to, when executed,cause the at least one processor to: display a user interface on a firstposition of a first display area of the flexible display, based on atotal display area of the flexible display being expanded according to amovement of the second housing in the second direction, initiatedisplaying a gradation effect on at least a portion of a second displayarea of the expanded total display area while maintaining the displayingof the user interface on the first position of the first display area,such that at least the portion of the second display area is visuallydifferentiated from the first display area, wherein the expanded totaldisplay area includes the first display area and the second displayarea, and wherein the second display area corresponds to an amount bywhich the total display area expands, and corresponds to a portion ofthe flexible display moved from the interior of the first housing andexposed to the exterior of the first housing according to the movementof the second housing in the second direction, and based on the movementof the second housing in the second direction being terminated for apredetermined time, display the user interface on a second positiondifferent from the first position based on the amount by which thedisplay area expands.
 9. An electronic device, comprising: a firsthousing; a second housing that is movable relative to the first housingand at least partially overlapping the first housing; a flexible displayat least partially mounted on the second housing and at least partiallyvisually exposed to an exterior of the electronic device, wherein theflexible display is insertable into an interior of the first housingbased on the second housing moving relative to the first housing in afirst direction, and is removable from the interior of the first housingbased on the second housing moving relative to the first housing in asecond direction; at least one processor; and a memory, wherein thememory stores instructions configured to, when executed, cause the atleast one processor to: display a first execution screen of a firstapplication on a first display area of the flexible display, detectmovement of the second housing in one of the first direction or thesecond direction, based on the movement of the second housing beingdetected in the second direction, initiate displaying a gradation effecton at least a portion of a second display area of a total display areathat is resized based on the movement of the second housing whilemaintaining the displaying of the first execution screen on the firstdisplay area, such that at least the portion of the second display areais visually differentiated from the first display area, wherein theresized total display area includes the first display area and thesecond display area, and wherein the second display area corresponds toa moving distance of the second housing and corresponds to a portion ofthe flexible display moved from the interior of the first housing andexposed to the exterior of the first housing according to the movementof the second housing in the second direction, display a secondexecution screen of a second application on the second display area ofthe flexible display, detect a change in orientation of the electronicdevice, and based on detecting the change in orientation, change adisplay arrangement of the first execution screen and the secondexecution screen based on at least one of an aspect ratio of the firstexecution screen or an aspect ratio of the second execution screen.